Mine rescue training facility inventory – compendium of ideas to improve US coal mine rescue training

Transactions of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration , 2010, Vol. 328, No. 1, pp. 517-524

Bealko, S.B.; Alexander, D.W.; Chasko, L.L.; Grayson, R.L.

In response to recent mining disasters and new mine rescue team legislation, NIOSH researchers conducted meetings across the United States with mine emergency response experts to investigate current needs and issues. Some of the issues include emergency response preparedness, mine rescue contests, real-life training capabilities and training facilities. Many new teams are being formed that must be trained for mine rescue team competitions as well as be ready to respond to a variety of mine emergencies, including a fire or explosion, a massive roof collapse, mine inundations or vertical shaft rescue situations. Therefore, it is important that these teams are adequately prepared and trained. This paper presents a summary of domestic and international coal mine rescue training facilities and identifies those that provide unique, real-life and/or state-of-the-art training. Research findings from this report will be used in further NIOSH investigations to improve coal mine rescue training.