What is the first step after taking shelter inside a refuge chamber in an event of emergency?
“Refuge chambers operate on four key steps: DEPLOY the unit, PURGE the system, activate the OXYGEN, and activate the S RU ER system.”
How many hours of training should a newly hired inexperienced miner have via MSHA?
Part 48.5 requires that approximately 8 hours of a new miners’ underground training be given at the mine site. In addition, training requirements for new and experienced surface miners and experienced underground miners must also be provided mine-specific training.
Who needs MSHA training?
All surface miners intended to work at metal, non-metal mineral, and surface coal mine operations, must take Part 48 MSHA training; new miners are required to take 24 hours of instructor-led training to obtain 5000-23 certification. Experienced or returning miners need 8 hours of Part 48 (subpart B) refresher training.
What is the permissible limit of o2 in underground mine?
Although oxygen is not an explosive gas, it does support and accelerate combustion. Normal air contains 20.94% oxygen by volume. Atmospheres containing less than this amount are known as oxygen deficient….
| CONCENTRATION (PPM) | PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT |
|---|---|
| 50 to 100 | Maximum concentration for short exposure (30 to 60 minutes). |
Does MSHA recognize online training?
The online training Packages and Individual Courses offered below are designed in compliance with MSHA requirements for the training and retraining of miners based on the Title 30 CFR – Part 46 regulations for surface miners and surface mining contractors. These training courses are recognized by MSHA.
What gas kills miners?
The main toxic gases in mines are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2); the flammable gases are methane (CH4), CO, and hydrogen (H2); the suffocating gases are CO2, nitrogen (N20), and CH4; and the toxic gases are CO, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
At what percentage CO becomes explosive?
What is the explosive range of carbon monoxide-air mixtures? 12.5 to 74 percent carbon monoxide in air.
What is a refugesure chamber?
Refuge chambers are movable chambers that are either made of steel or have tents that inflate from a steel skid. They may poten tially save the lives of miners during an underground mine emer gency by providing breathable air, food, water, and a safe environment for up to 96 h.
How much space is in a mine refuge chamber?
Although refuge chambers are customizable, space inside is limited. The federal law requires at least 1.39 square meters (15 square feet) of floor space per per son in addition to certain volume requirements based on the mine height (Department of Labor, 2008). Table 1 displays these parameters.
What is a mine refuge alternative?
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) defines a refuge alternative as ‘‘a protected, secure space with an isolated atmosphere and inte grated components that create a life-sustaining environment for persons trapped in an underground coal mine’’ (Department of Labor, 2008, p. 34143). Fig. 1.
Would a refuge have saved mine workers’ lives?
As part of a recent study funded by NIOSH Mining, U.S. coal mining accidents since 1970 were reviewed to determine whether the availability of a refuge would have helped save mine workers’ lives. The review encompassed all ignitions, explosions, fires, and inundations where at least one mine worker was killed.