Mining Product: Recommendations for Refuge Chamber Operations Training
Original creation date: June 2011
Refuge alternatives are airtight, reinforced shelters that underground coal miners can enter during a mine emergency. Although refuge alternatives are considered a last resort in an emergency, it is imperative that miners know how to operate these devices in the event of an emergency. This publication provides recommendations for training miners in how to operate a refuge chamber. It is organized into three sections. The first section details four refuge chamber training sessions that were observed by NIOSH researchers in order to determine the topics mine trainers were covering in their first efforts at refuge chamber training. The second section presents a guide for trainers which details the most important content to include in refuge chamber training and provides tips on teaching techniques and activities that may increase the effectiveness of the training. The third section presents a condensed version of the most important training content, specifically formatted for miners. Miners can refer to the list in the third section of this document to make sure they understand the basics of refuge chamber operation.
Authors: CY Kingsley Westerman, KL McNelis, KA Margolis
Report of Investigations - June 2011
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20039249
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-178, NIOSH Report of Investigations 9683, 2011 June; :1-32
See Also
- Development of a Method for the Remote Characterization of Underground Mine Ventilation Control by Multiple Tracer Gases
- Fire Response Preparedness for Underground Mines
- Guidelines for the Development of a New Miner Training Curriculum
- How to Operate a Refuge Chamber: A Quick Start Guide
- NIOSH Docket Number 125: Refuge Alternative Research
- Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines
- Refuge Chambers
- Research Report on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines
- Technology News 546 - Medium Frequency Mine Emergency Communications—An Emerging Technology
- Ultra-Low Frequency Through-the-Earth Communication Technology
- Wireless Mesh Mine Communication System
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program