NIOSH develops new mine refuge chamber training.

"Objective: The objective is to provide effective training on refuge chambers for underground coal miners. This training will increase knowledge about how to teach miners to operate, transport, and inspect a refuge chamber; what to expect psychologically and physiologically inside a refuge chamber; and how to decide when to use a refuge chamber. Background: During 2006-2007, several disasters occurred at U.S. underground coal mines, resulting in 28 fatalities. These disasters led to new approaches to mine safety and health, as well as new federal regulations. One new technology mandated by federal legislation is the refuge chamber. Refuge chambers are movable shelters that are either made of steel or inflate from a steel skid as a tent. They can potentially save the lives of miners during an underground mine emergency by providing breathable air, food, water, and a safe environment for up to 96 hours. Because the refuge chamber is a new technology, recommendations, information, and training products are greatly needed. Approach: A multidisciplinary team at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created three products about refuge chambers for underground coal mines. Extensive research was conducted for these products consisting of literature reviews, meetings with Mine Safety and Health Administration employees, engineering tests of refuge chambers, and interviews with stakeholders, including mine operators and miners. One product to emerge from this work is a NIOSH Information Circular entitled "Guidelines for Instructional Materials on Refuge Chamber Setup, Use, and Maintenance" (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-148). Intended for mine trainers, refuge chamber manufacturers, and mine operators, this product offers suggestions for the preparation, maintenance, and movement of refuge chambers. As instructions for the operation of a refuge chamber can be complicated, this product also provides recommendations on ways to teach miners how to operate the chamber. One recommendation is to provide miners with a shortened version of the operation, or quick start guide, to help jog their memory. Sample quick start guides (Figure 1) are included. Another product developed by NIOSH is "Refuge Chamber Expectations Training" (NIOSH Publication No. 2010-100). This multimedia training informs miners about what to expect psychologically and physiologically if they use a refuge chamber. In addition to a computer training program, there is an instructor's guide and lesson plans for mine trainers. Photos, videos, audio, and interviews with miners who used a refuge chamber in response to a mine fire in Canada have also been incorporated into the training package. Physiological effects, such as difficulty breathing and sleeping, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, thirst, and body aches may be experienced by miners while they are enclosed in the refuge chamber (Figure 2). Providing the miners with information on what they may encounter when using the refuge chamber will help them to be better prepared in the event of an emergency requiring the actual use of the refuge chamber. NIOSH has also created decision-making training for refuge chambers. "Harry's Hard Choices" (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-122) is a paper-and-pencil training simulation designed to help miners make decisions about when to use a refuge chamber. The training exercise is an interactive story that profiles Harry Hamilton, a section foreman on a longwall setup section who must decide what course of action to take when he discovers there is a mine fire (Figure 3). As the story evolves, Harry must make a series of choices about how to increase the crew's chances for survival. The scenario is taken in part from real-life mine emergencies. Results: All three training products were field tested and received positive evaluations. These products are a valuable resource for mine trainers, mine operators, and refuge chamber manufacturers to be used during initial refuge chamber training as well as annual refresher training." - NIOSHTIC-2NIOSHTIC no. 20036124200