MINE RESCUE & SAFETY
As there was limited space on the wharf to position a new safe room , any introduced shelter needed provision for additional use . A proposed solution was to use the middle section of the wharf , improving accessibility and providing an easily recognisable dual-purpose shelter .
“ The multi-function safe room was custom engineered from a ChemSAFE Standard Design ( SD ) structure ,” the company explained . “ It included additional amenities to allow personnel to use the space for designated breaks during shift and shutdown periods . The interior space was optimised with specialised fold-up seating and intelligent use of fit-out to allow comfortable day-to-day occupation without altering the effectiveness of the shelter during emergencies .”
In line with other basic safe room specifications , the ChemSAFE SD Chamber features included : n Internal airlock with positive pressure flushing system ; n Air curtain system for rapid entry ; n Backup UPS for all critical systems ; n Automated oxygen delivery system ; n GuardIAN refuge chamber monitoring ; n Series IV Controller with chemical scrubbing ; n iVAN voice command system ; n Aura-FX fixed digital continuous gas monitoring ; n Exterior insulation for direct sun exposure ; and n Internal and external ammonia detection .
A related risk assessment determined the time needed for the security team to exit their post and seek suitable shelter outside of their existing structure was too long and could potentially expose personnel , MineARC Systems said . As the security hut could not be suitably converted into a safe room , a custom chemical shelter was integrated onto the side of the security hut to allow direct access .
“ The ChemSAFE chamber located at the wharf entrance security station required specialised engineering to ensure the attachment would allow personnel to access the refuge chamber easily ,” the company said . “ As the security station is elevated off the ground , the shelter needed to be raised to allow safe access .”
Connecting the existing building to the refuge chamber ’ s airlock is a mating flange and bellows system . The extension provided a secure and flexible pathway from inside the building to the chamber ’ s airlock without requiring security personnel to enter a potentially hazardous external environment , reducing risk to personnel during an accidental ammonia release or unsafe event , MineARC Systems explained .
The company concluded : “ Rio Tinto ’ s global progressive thinking identified the high safety risk from neighbouring facilities at their Yarwun refinery . Combining these findings with an internal review , Yarwun collaborated with
MineARC Systems to build a rapid hazard management solution with dual functionality .”
Mine rescue flexibility
Dräger and PAUS Maschinenfabrik GmbH ’ s MRV 9000 Mine Rescue Vehicle combines the best of both companies ’ technology for a robust vehicle that , they say , brings rescue units safely , reliably and as close as possible to emergency sites underground .
Developed in collaboration with Goldcorp ( now part of Newmont ), it features a robust construction of the basic vehicle ( from PAUS ’ MinCa 18A series ) and the life support system of Dräger .
PAUS explained : “ In many emergency situations underground , only ventilation and drainage systems remain operational as mines look to avoid further incidents . All other infrastructure ( the power supply , operation of technical and general vehicle traffic , etc ) are shut down .”
In this situation , mine rescue teams are forced to walk to the scene with all their equipment . Injured personnel are brought to collection points where first aid is provided , while evacuation to the surface must be organised .
“ Depending on the specific situation and the extent of the emergency , the rescue services must immediately switch on their own breathing equipment after descending into the shaft and
According to Professor Richard Lyon MBE , Prometheus Medical ’ s Chief Medical Officer , the mining industry has historically come with the unique challenge of potential confined space injuries and , in particular , crush incidents .
“ Also common are blunt trauma wounds , burns , gas exposure or medical events like heart attacks ,” he said . “ There is always the risk of multi-casualty incidents .”
Lyon , in addition to his role with Prometheus , is an emergency physician for the UK International Search and Rescue ( ISAR ) team and a member of the UK Air Ambulance . He has also undertaken critical missions to all types of medical emergencies globally , including mining accidents and disasters .
Prometheus Medical , part of Safeguard Medical , provides medical consultancy , services , training and equipment to empower people to save lives and preserve life in any environment , the company says .
Lyon said : “ I authored the Standard Operating Procedures on Crush Injury management for the UK ISAR team . Some of the most important clinical interventions include the early use of tourniquets and haemostatic agents to control major haemorrhage , following by a specific strategy to manage crush syndrome . Early access to the circulation , either using the intravenous or intraosseous route , is needed to commence immediate fluid resuscitation and administer key medications such as calcium , in order to protect the heart from the dangerous effects of potassium released from crushed muscles .
“ The patient needs continuous monitoring , particularly during the evacuation from the mine , which can often take considerable time . Rescue stretchers like the Prometheus Team-8 are particularly suited to mine rescue .”
Lyon says it is critical for mining facilities to be adequately prepared with major trauma response and emergency medical kits , supported by regular , up-to-date education on their use through training sessions .
“ This can include equipment such as FullStop tourniquets , burn care kits , trauma dressings and bandages , circulatory access devices ( like the Prometheus PIN ), Russell chest seals and Prometheus bleed control kits ,” he said .
Lyon says the key areas of training for those responsible for health and safety within mines to consider for the safety of their workforce are : n How to manage life and limb-threatening emergencies underground ; n How to maintain an airway , control major bleeding , manage crush injury and initiate resuscitation ; n How to keep the patient alive and stable during the medical evacuation from a mine ; n Emergency response to a major incident , eg mine collapse with multiple casualties ; n Ensuring equipment is present , within date and recently tested ; n Improving clinical governance and using external support to help improve mines risk mitigation ; n Access to remote medical support from experts ; and n Conducting regular , highly realistic simulation drills using the latest training aids . Prometheus Medical says it trains first responders on how to effectively manage life and limb-threatening emergencies underground , with Clinical Director , Dr Sarah Richardson , and the Prometheus Training Team , recently completing an intensive training course at a South African mine , which incorporated an in-depth site visit and review of emergency procedures .
48 International Mining | OCTOBER 2021