2006MINE EMERGENCY EXPLOSION

EXERCISE 

STUDENT COPYSTUDENT COPY   The attached maps will be used to work through this mine emergency – explosion problem. Miners lives may be saved or lost based on the critical, life saving decisions that they have to make while working through the exercise and attempting to escape from the mine.

A series of questions will be asked as situations occur as a result of the explosion. Answers to these questions are provided, however, all of the answers may not be correct. There will be at least one correct answer for each question, however, more than one answer may be correct. Select the correct answers.

Fan xExplosion

Doors

Belt

CC C C

C

C C

X

High Voltage Cable

High Voltage Substation

Transformer

Pump Cable

x #1 Pump

D

Dx x

SCSR Storage Locations (15 at each location)

xHigh

Voltage Splitter

Box

Transformer

x#2

Pump

x

Section Transformer

D D

CC

CC

C

CC

RDD

D

D

D

D

D

D

R

x

NORTH MAINS 2700’ to Surface

WEST MAINS 2700’ to

Surface

Section Transformer

Old W

idow Kennedy

Mine 140’ Below

SAFETY FIRST COAL COMPANY

1430

1430

1440

1440

D

EXPLOSION MAP - 2006

x

Continuous Miner

xShuttle Car

xShuttle Car

xxxxxx

Timbers on

Fire x

#2 Belt Drive (Transfer Point – 2000’ to Surface)

Stoppings damaged

and overcasts destroyed

D

cc #10

xx

Ba

rrica

de

M

ate

rial

Ma

ntrip

S

tatio

n

FeederD

x

Sh

uttle

Ca

r

x

Ro

of F

all

Co

ntin

uo

us

M

ine

r

x

Feederx Barricade

Materialx

Mantrip Station

D

D D

EXPLOSION TRAINING – 2006 SAFETY FIRST COAL COMPANY

MINE HISTORY AVERAGE WORKING HEIGHT – 48”

VENTILATION SYSTEM – EXHAUSTING VENTILATION DIRECTION – AS SHOWN ON MAP

FAN INFORMATION– 48” FAN, 250HP – 550 VAC MOTOR

Seven (7) persons are scheduled to produce coal on the West Mains Section, located 2700 feet from the surface. The crew consists of the foreman, miner operator and miner helper, two (2) shuttle car operators, repairman, and a face utility man. Three (3) men perform maintenance, cleaning and rock dusting work on the beltlines from the surface to both working sections. Five (5) men (repairmen) are scheduled to perform maintenance work on the North Mains Section located 2700 feet from the surface. The foreman is the responsible person for this shift. An old abandoned mine (Widow Kennedy Mine) is located approximately 140 feet below this mine in the area at the #2 belt drive/transfer point. The old Widow Kennedy Mine, mined back in the 1970’s was known for liberating large amounts of methane.

The primary escapeway is #4 entry for both the North Mains and West Mains Sections. The alternate escapeway is #3 entry (beltline entry) for both North Mains and East Mains Sections. Fifteen (15) SCSR’s are stored at cc #10 in both the primary and alternate escapeways, one crosscut outby the North Mains – West Mains junction.

This mine is not known for liberating large amounts of methane but when the barometric pressure drops, more methane than normal is detected.

Also, when the barometric pressure drops, the beltman that performs on-shift belt examinations has detected .2% to .3% methane in the belt entry near the #2 belt drive.

A cold front has been moving through the area and it has been raining and snowing for the past two days.

Four wheeled (battery powered) mantrips are used for transportation.

Both crews normally travel the #4 entry (primary escapeway) to the working section.

The preshift examination of the face areas conducted at 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM, respectively revealed the following:

NORTH MAINS WEST MAINS

#1 entry - .3% Ch4 and 20.8% O2 .1% Ch4 and 20.8% O2

#2 entry - .4% Ch4 and 20.8% O2 .1% Ch4 and 20.8% O2

#3 entry- .1% Ch4 and 20.8% O2 0% Ch4 and 20.8% O2

#4 entry- .0% Ch4 and 20.8% O2  0% Ch4 and 20.9% O2

#5 entry- .0% Ch4 and 20.8% O2 0% Ch4 and 20.9% O2

The mine operator and foreman plan to conduct a safety talk on the surface prior to the 15

men going underground.

The company has just implemented a “New” production bonus plan.

The mine operator discussed the “New” bonus plan and the foreman

discussed electrical safety, locking and tagging out and cable maintenance.

QUESTION A

What other information could have and should have been discussed during the safety

talk based on the mine map and information provided?

____ 1. The hazards of mining with underlying old mines that may contain

methane.

_____ 2. The effects that barometric pressure and weather storm fronts have on

methane liberation in underground mines.

_____ 3. The importance of conducting gas tests before and continuously while

cutting and welding.

_____ 4. The importance of installing check curtains and face line curtains when

the outside man calls inside reporting a State or Federal inspector outside.

_____ 5. The two mine disasters (Sago and Kentucky – Darby) that resulted from

methane explosions.

The West mains crew arrived on the section and started producing coal.

The maintenance crew arrived on

the North Mains section and started cutting/welding bit lugs on the continuous miner ripper

head.

The outside man is standing near the front-end loader, approximately 40 feet from the #3, #4

and #5 portals. It’s 7:30 A.M., at which time, the outside man always eats his sausage/egg

biscuit and drinks a large cup of coffee.

The mine operator departed the mine site to go to Bill’s Electrical Supply Co., located 30

miles away, to buy some electrical supplies.

The outside man feels a sudden outrush of air from the portals and observes coal/rock dust

and debris in the air exiting from the portals.

At this mine, the outside man feels most likely that an explosion has occurred underground.

QUESTION B

What are some priority things that the outside man must think about and do?

____ 1. Immediately try to contact all underground personnel, especially the

foreman, who is the responsible person on this shift.

_____ 2. Try to contact the mine operator.

_____ 3. Notify the next-of-kin of all miners underground and tell them that an

explosion has occurred at the mine and that no contact has been made

with any of the miners since the explosion.

_____ 4. Deenergize all underground electrical power while leaving the mine fan

circuit energized.

_____ 5. Get the emergency contact notification list (sheriff, state police, mine

rescue teams, State and Federal officials, etc.) and put near the public telephone so

appropriate personnel can be notified as quickly as possible.

WEST MAINS CREW

The West mains continuous miner crew is moving the miner across the LOCC between the #2

and #3 entry – face areas. Several of the crew are installing timbers on each side of a roof fall

that had occurred in the 3rd crosscut outby the face area, between the #2 and #3 entries.

The foreman is helping move the continuous miner.

The crew heard a loud noise that sounded like an enormous roof fall which lasted for about 5

seconds. The crew felt a vibration and a change of pressure in their ears. They also felt a

sudden inrush of air, followed immediately by the section being inundated with rock and coal

dust and small, flying debris.

About one (1) minute later, the electrical power deenergized on the section.

The foreman and crew think immediately that an explosion has occurred on the North Mains

section or somewhere outby their section.

QUESTION C

What is the “first thing” that the foreman should do?

____ 1. Go immediately to the mine telephone, located at the section loading point,

call the outside man and try to determine what has happened and where.

_____ 2. Account for and assemble all his crew on the West Mains section.

_____ 3. Go to the mine telephone, after accounting for all his crew, call the outside

man and instruct him to try to contact the North Mains section crew and

the belt crew. And, also to contact everyone on the emergency personnel

notification list.

_____ 4. Anticipating that an explosion has occurred and that poisonous mine gases

were created as a result of the explosion, assemble the crew and start

building a barricade in the #3 entry, face area inby the LOCC because this will

be the best location to barricade with the largest area of fresh air at this time.

NORTH MAINS CREW/BELT MAINTANANCE CREW

The North Mains maintenance crew were performing maintenance and cutting/welding work

on the continuous miner when they also heard a loud noise that sounded like an enormous

roof fall that lasted 3 to 5 seconds.

The crew felt a sudden inrush of air, filled with small debris, rock dust and coal dust.

The crew smelled a burned smell.

All five (5) miners were located at the continuous miner. About one (1) minute later the

electrical power on the section deenergized.

The three (3) belt men were located near crosscut #9 when they felt a sudden outrush of air,

saw coal dust, rock dust and small debris suspended in the air and immediately traveled

toward the surface.

The North Mains crew does not have a foreman.QUESTION D

What are some of the things that the North Mains crew should do immediately?

____ 1. Designate one person as a crew leader.

_____ 2. Send two people to the mine telephone, located at the section loading

point, to call the outside man to try to determine what has happened and

where; that it appears an explosion has occurred outby their location and that

the five of them are O.K. at this time and that they will try to escape from the mine out

the #4 entry (primary escapeway).

_____ 3. The other three miners should go to the first aid box to get the escapeway

map and carbon monoxide (CO) detector.

_____ 4. Everyone should get their readily accessible SCSR (located within 25 feet)

and make preparations to assemble at the previously established

emergency meeting place (mantrip station).

_____ 5. The entire crew should go get the carbon monoxide (CO) detector from

the first aid box, then go get the barricade materials located in #5 entry

and barricade themselves in #5 entry – face area - inby the LOCC.

NORTH MAINS CREW

Two of the crew members travel to the first aid supply box and get the carbon monoxide (CO)

detector, where it is normally stored.

As soon as he activates the detector and conducts a test, he detects 150 ppm – CO at the

mantrip station.

A secondary mine telephone is located at the end of the lifeline in the primary escapeway.

QUESTION E

What are some things that the crew should be thinking about and/or doing at this

time?____ 1. Barricade themselves inby the LOCC in #5 entry – face area.

_____ 2. Immediately try to call the outside man on the secondary mine telephone

to try to determine what has happened and where and that the five of

them are O.K. at this time.

_____ 3. After trying to call the outside man on the secondary mine telephone,

disconnect the telephone to put on the mantrip to take with them.

_____ 4. Everyone should donn their SCSR due to 150 ppm – CO detected in the

area.

_____ 5. Each man should make sure they have their “second SCSR” and start

evacuation by crawling down the #3 entry (beltline entry) – alternate

escapeway because 150 ppm – CO was detected in #4 entry (primary escapeway).

NORTH MAINS CREW

The five man crew decided to use the mantrip to attempt escape from the mine out the #4

entry (primary escapeway).

The crew loads the “secondary mine telephone” and tether line on the mantrip.

The crew traveled two (2) crosscuts outby the mantrip station encountered “light smoke”.

One of the crew members conducts a gas test and detects 900 ppm – CO.

QUESTION F

What should the crew do now?

____ 1. Stop the mantrip and donn their SCSR’s.

_____ 2. Retreat back to the section and barricade themselves inby the LOCC in #5

entry – face area.

_____ 3. Retreat back to the section on the mantrip and attempt escape from the

mine out the #3 beltline entry (alternate escapeway) or one of the return

air entries (#1 or #2).

_____ 4. Each man should open and activate both of their SCSR’s, just in case one

of them does not operate properly.

NORTH MAINS CREW

The crew has donned and activated their SCSR’s and are traveling the #4 entry (primary

escapeway) in the mantrip. The crew arrives at the mouth of the section and observes that the

return air overcasts from the West Mains section have been destroyed and are blocking their

travel with the mantrip.

The crew observes ”dense smoke” and feel heat in the #4 and #5 entries at this location.

The crew observes that the lifeline has been torn into by the explosion forces and destruction

of the overcasts.

QUESTION G

What should the crew do now?

____ 1. Retreat back to the section on the mantrip and attempt to escape out the

#3 beltline entry (alternate escapeway) or one of the return air entries (#1

or #2.

_____ 2. Retreat back to the section and barricade themselves inby the LOCC in #5

entry – face area.

_____ 3. Depart the mantrip – take the additional SCSR’s, tether line, secondary

mine telephone and escapeway map and retreat inby to the door located

two (2) crosscuts inby the overcasts; travel into the #3 – beltline entry and

continue evacuation by crawling out the beltline entry. Travel in dense

smoke should occur only if other escapeway entries are blocked or too

hazardous to travel. Escape travel should occur in an entry equipped with

an intact lifeline, if possible.

_____ 4. Get the tether line off the mantrip and attach to each person before

traveling through the door into the #3 beltline entry, just in case that they

were to encounter dense smoke.

NORTH MAINS CREW

The crew traveled through the door into the #3 beltline entry.

They encounter dense smoke and feel heat but are able to maintain contact with the lifeline as

they escape.

The crew has arrived at crosscut # 10, in the #3 belt entry (alternate escapeway), where the

SCSR’s are stored.

The crew observes that the telephone line in this entry is destroyed.

One crew member recommends that each of them get two (2) new SCSR’s for each of them

from the storage box.

QUESTION H

What should the crew do now?

____ 1. Each crew member should only get one (1) SCSR from the storage box.

_____ 2. Each crew member should get two (2) SCSR’s from the storage box

because everyone else in the mine was probably killed by the explosion and

won’t need SCSR’s.

_____ 3. The crew should remove the spare CO detector from the storage box to

take with them as they escape.

_____ 4. Each crew member should transfer to a new SCSR even though they’re

still breathing O.K.

SCENE SHIFTS TO THE SURFACE

The outside man attempted to contact both section crews and the belt maintenance crew but

was unsuccessful. He also had deenergized all underground electrical power but left the mine

fan circuit energized.

The outside man has also contacted the mine operator, State and Federal officials, local

sheriff and State Police, EMS and mine rescue personnel. All officials have been notified and

are enroute to the mine.

While reattempting to contact all personnel underground by the primary mine telephone and

the secondary mine telephone, the mine operator arrived back at the mine.

The three (3) belt men arrived on the surface just as the mine operator pulled onto the

parking lot. The mine operator could not get much information from the belt men before they

went home. They were really scared and all they could tell him was that they were at crosscut

#9 in the belt entry when they felt a sudden outrush of air with coal dust and rock dust

suspended in the air and they immediately traveled to the surface.

QUESTION I

What are some of the first things that the mine operator should consider doing?

____ 1. Verify that all necessary officials have been notified and are enroute to the

mine.

_____ 2. Contact the local pastor that has been pre-arranged and request that he

report to the predetermined location (church) to be with the families and

friends of the missing miners.

_____ 3. Contact the next-of-kin of the missing miners and provide

information/directions to the predetermined location (family staging area).

_____ 4. Get the five (5) extra SCSR’s and put on the other mantrip; donn his

SCSR and travel into the mine - #4 entry (primary escapeway) to look for the

missing miners because this is most likely the first choice escape route that the miners

may be traveling.

OFFICIALS ARRIVE AT THE MINE

The State and Federal officials, mine rescue personnel, State and local police and EMS

personnel, have arrived at the mine.

The police establish a security boundary at the junction of the mine road with the main road.

State and Federal officials, mine rescue personnel and the mine operator establish a

command center in the mine office where mine maps , a mine telephone and a public

telephone are located.

The mine operator briefs the other officials and provides the following information.

• 15 men were underground when apparently a mine explosion occurred;

• 7 men were assigned to produce coal on the West Mains section; 5 men were assigned to

perform maintenance work on the North Mains section and 3 belt men were assigned to

perform routine belt work;

• The 3 beltmen exited the mine about 5 minutes after they felt a sudden outrush of air,

coal dust and rock dust; they were located at crosscut #9 when the event occurred; they

were scared to death and have gone home;

• Dense smoke has been exiting the exhausting mine fan housing since about 10 minutes

after the apparent explosion;

• An old, extremely gassy, abandoned mine is located underneath our mine about 140 feet

in the general area at the #2 belt drive – transfer point;

• The fan gauge shows a reduced fan pressure – just about half of what it normally is

since the incident occurred.

State and Federal officials, mine rescue personnel, and the mine operator develop a recovery

plan that consists of:

1. Initially exploring up the #4 and #5 entries to the 6th crosscut and tie across into the #3,

#2 and #1 entries;

2. And then continuing exploring the #4 and #5 entries to the 10th crosscut and then tie

across to the #3, #2 and #1 entries.

SCENE SHIFTS TO THE WEST MAINS SECTION

The crew realized that most likely a mine explosion had occurred outby their location. The

foreman had used the mine telephone at the loading point to try to call the outside man to try

to determine what had happened and where, but had been unsuccessful.

The foreman has accounted for his crew and have assembled at the mantrip station.

QUESTION J

What should the foreman and crew be thinking about and/or doing at this time?

____ 1. One crew member should attempt to call the outside man by using the

secondary mine telephone required in the primary escapeway located near

the end of the lifeline.

_____ 2. The foreman should conduct a gas test immediately to determine the

amount of oxygen carbon monoxide (CO), and methane at this location.

_____ 3. Send a couple men to retrieve the escapeway map from the first aid box to

take with them during the emergency evacuation.

_____ 4. Take all his crew, travel to the #3 entry, inby the LOCC in the face area

and barricade.

WEST MAINS SECTION

The foreman tried to contact the outside man using the secondary mine telephone (located

near the lifeline in the primary escapeway) but also was unsuccessful.

The foreman and his crew have retrieved the escapeway map, tether line and secondary mine

telephone and board the mantrip for evacuation.

Electrical power on the section had deenergized approximately one minute after hearing the

loud noise and rock/coal dust inundating the working section.

The foreman had conducted a gas test immediately after feeling the sudden inrush of air onto

the section and had detected 850 ppm – CO and 18% oxygen.

The foreman and crew have boarded the mantrip. The foreman conducts a second gas test

before departing the section, approximately three (3) minutes later and detects 1150 ppm –

CO.

QUESTION K

What should the foreman and crew be thinking about and/or doing at this time?

____ 1. Go get the barricade material, retreat to the face area and barricade inby

the LOCC, in #3 entry in the face area.

_____ 2. Realize the urgency of immediate escape by realizing that the electrical

power is off in the mine, that the pump located in the #4 entry primary

escapeway will be inoperative and that water will accumulate rapidly

blocking mantrip travel through this area.

_____ 3. Everyone should donn their SCSR immediately because the CO is

increasing rapidly and will be approaching the poisonous level very quickly.

_____ 4. Travel back to the LOCC and wait 30 minutes for the ventilation to

improve and reduce the amount of CO in the area.

WEST MAINS CREW

The crew travels as quickly as possible toward the surface in the #4 entry (primary

escapeway).

As they approach the No. 2 pump area located (10th crosscut outby the face area), they smell a

burned smell, detect 250 ppm – CO and encounter water roofed in both the #4 and #5 entries.

QUESTION L

What should the crew do now?

____ 1. Retreat back to the section and attempt to escape to the surface out the #3

beltline entry (alternate escapeway) or one of the return air entries (#1 or

#2).

_____ 2. Retreat back to the section and barricade.

_____ 3. Try to swim through the water since the dip is only about 50 feet in length.

_____ 4. Everyone should depart the mantrip; get both of their SCSR’s; get the

tether line and secondary telephone; travel through the door and attempt

further escape by crawling out the #3 entry (beltline entry – alternate

escapeway).

WEST MAINS CREW

The crew travels to the “door” located in the 8th crosscut outby the face area, between the #3

(beltline entry) and #4 entry (primary escapeway).

The crew forgot to get the secondary mine telephone off the mantrip.

The foreman opens the door and sees “light smoke”.

QUESTION M

What should the foreman and crew do now?

____ 1. Travel on through the door and evacuate out the #3 (beltline entry –

alternate escapeway).

_____ 2. Stop, sit down and pray.

_____ 3. Everyone should attach themselves to the tether line; donn their SCSR’s

before traveling on though the door into the #3 entry (alternate

escapeway).

_____ 4. Travel back to the section and barricade inby the LOCC in #3 entry face

area.

WEST MAINS CREW

The crew has tied themselves to the tether line, donned their SCSR’s and followed (crawled)

the lifeline located in the #3 beltline entry (alternate escapeway) to the mouth of the section.

The crew encounters “dense smoke” at the mouth of the section, which limits visibility to

arm’s length.

The crew had forgot and left their secondary mine telephone on the mantrip.

The foreman observed that the telephone line was destroyed by the explosion at the #2 belt

drive transfer area.

The crew arrives at cc #10 where the SCSR’s are stored.

At this time, four (4) miners are having problems breathing through their SCSR.

QUESTION N

What should the crew do now?

____ 1. All the miners should transfer to a new SCSR just because they have

become available.

_____ 2. Only the four (4) miners having breathing problems should transfer to a

new SCSR and the other miners should obtain a new SCSR to take with

them as they continue escaping from the mine.

_____ 3. Disconnect the four (4) miners having breathing problems from the tether

line and leave them to travel behind at a slower speed because they

probably won’t be able to make it to the surface and will slow the travel rate

of the other miners.

WEST MAINS CREW

The crew has arrived at crosscut #10 in the #3 beltline entry (alternate escapeway) where the SCSR’s are stored.

The foreman observed that the telephone line is virtually destroyed at this location.

The four (4) miners having breathing problems have transferred to new SCSR’s and are breathing O.K. now.

The other miners get one (1) SCSR for each miner from the storage box.

The crew continues evacuation out the #4 entry (primary escapeway).

The crew arrives at the dip (4th crosscut in the mine – No. 1 pump area) and joined the North Mains crew where the water in #4 and #5 entries had roofed.

The foreman took one (1) man with him and traveled back to the 6 th crosscut and traveled through the door into the #3 - beltline entry. Then, they traveled outby in the #3 – beltline entry to the dip area and observed that the entry beltline was also blocked with water. Water is within 2” of the mine roof.

The two men retreat back to the 6th crosscut and the foreman opens the door between #2 and #3 entries and observes “dense smoke” in the #2 entry (return air entry). The foreman took a gas test and detected 19% oxygen and 150 ppm – CO in the #3 entry at the 6 th crosscut.

QUESTION O

What should the foreman do now?

____ 1. The foreman and his buddy should retreat back to where the remaining

crew members are located at the water roofed area in #4 entry (primary

escapeway).

_____ 2. The foreman should return to the #4 entry where the miners have a mine

telephone; connect the mine telephone to see if he can contact the outside man

and report their location, physical condition and conditions present at their

location.

_____ 3. The foreman should retreat back to where the remaining crew members

are located at the water roofed; get with the other miners and attempt

escape out #1 or #2 return air entries because it’s only six (6) crosscuts to

the surface.

_____ 4. The foreman and his buddy should continue travel on through the door

into the #2 return air entry and try to find their way to the surface, even

through the “dense smoke with zero visibility”.

BOTH WEST MAINS/NORTH MAINS

The foreman and his buddy decide not to travel into the “dense smoke” in #2 return entry and they

retreat back to #4 entry (primary escapeway) at the water roofed area where the other miners are

located. The foreman conducts a gas test and detects 19% oxygen and 150 ppm – CO. Realizing

this concentration of CO is not dangerous, he removed his SCSR.

The foreman observes that the telephone line is not damaged at this location; hooks up the mine

telephone and calls outside. The mine operator answers the telephone.

The foreman reports that 12 men are blocked by water in the #3, #4 and #5 entries and that “dense

smoke with zero visibility” is present in #2 entry and they are afraid to enter the dense smoke.

The mine operator advised the 12 miners to stay at the water roofed area in the #4 entry and that

two mine rescue teams have built airlocks in #4 and #5 entries and are preparing to pump the

water and that the mine rescue teams should be at their location within the next 5 minutes.

QUESTION P

What should the foreman and miners do now?

____ 1. Follow the instructions of the mine operator and stay at the water roofed area

in #4 entry.

_____ 2. Try to keep all the men together and exit the mine out #2 entry, even though

“dense smoke with zero visibility” is present in this area.

_____ 3. Stay at the water roofed area, monitor the safety of the miners.

_____ 4. Cut the lifeline and tie everyone to it and try to crawl through the water

roofed.

The foreman and crew decide to follow the instructions of the mine operator, mine rescue and

State and Federal officials and stay at the water roofed area in #4 entry (primary escapeway).

The mine rescue teams pump the water and assist the 12 miners to the surface.

The 12 miners are examined by EMS personnel and appear to be O.K. except for being physically

exhausted and scared.

ALL 15 MINERS HAVE SAFELY ESCAPED!!!!!