Launa Mallett and Blaine Connor, NIOSH, Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
In a mine emergency, chaos can lead to tragedy. To take charge in an emergency, by law (30 CFR 75.1501), coal mines must designate an on-site “responsible person” (RP). The RP’s duties include ordering miners to evacuate, notifying the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and others for help, and establishing an orderly overall response. Analyzing past disasters, MSHA reasoned that mines could achieve better outcomes if everyone at the mine knows who is in charge and if that person knows current mine conditions and sound emergency management practices. The use of tabletop exercises for mine emergency response development will be reviewed.
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