Exploration

1. Exploration • MSHA 2202 • November 1981 • June 2005

2. Northern Mine Rescue Association

3. Objective 1 • Team members will define exploration and explain its purpose.

4. Exploration • Exploration is the term that is used to describe the process of assessing conditions underground and locating miners (or clues of their whereabouts) during a rescue or recovery operation. • Exploration is a broad topic, we’ll be talking about: • Preparation for explorations • Team briefings and debriefings • Standard procedures for advancing inside the mine • And the equipment you’ll be using during exploration

5. Examination of Mine Openings • Before anyone goes underground, its important to examine the mine openings to determine the safest route to enter the mine. • Tests should be made for the presence of gases, and someone should make ventilation checks

6. Examination of Mine Openings • Whenever possible, its best to enter the mine by way of the safest intake airway.

7. Examination of Mine Openings • In a shaft mine, check the cage to make sure its operating properly. To test an automatic elevator, run it up and down the shaft manually several times.

8. Examination of Mine Openings • Tests should also be made for the presence of gases, smoke, or water in the shaft.

9. Examination of Mine Openings • If a mine has had an explosion, the cage, signaling devices, and headframe may be damaged. • You may have to use a mucking bucket or other improvised means to make your descent provided all five (5) team members will fit. • However, a cage should be made available as soon as possible.

10. Barefaced Exploration • In some disaster situations, conditions may make it possible to conduct an initial exploration without self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This is known as “barefaced” exploration.

11. Barefaced Exploration • Often, barefaced exploration is conducted with apparatus on team members, “ready” to function. • This allows the team to quickly put on their face pieces and get under oxygen if conditions make it necessary.

12. Barefaced Exploration • Barefaced exploration should only be conducted when the ventilation system is operating properly and frequent gas tests indicate there is sufficient oxygen and no buildup of carbon monoxide or other dangerous gases

13. Barefaced Exploration • A backup crew with apparatus should be stationed outside the area, ready to go in immediately to rescue the other if necessary.

14. Barefaced Exploration • The purpose of such exploration is to quickly establish the extent of damage and to progress to the point where apparatus teams can continue the exploration. • Locomotives can be used during such barefaced exploration as long as there is no smoke and no evidence of explosive gases. Usually, two locomotives are used in case one breaks down.

15. Barefaced Exploration • During barefaced exploration, the crew uses the mines communication system to report their progress and findings to the surface. This lets the backup team know where the barefaced team is located and whether its necessary to go after them.

16. Barefaced Exploration • Barefaced exploration should stop at any point: • where disruptions in ventilation are found • When gas tests indicate presence of any carbon monoxide or other noxious gases • Or an oxygen deficiency • A barefaced crew should also stop exploration when they encounter smoke or damage.

17. Barefaced Exploration • Fresh air base is usually established at the point where conditions no longer permit barefaced exploration. • Because the area has already been explored, rescue team members and backup personnel are then free to travel to and from the fresh air base without apparatus. • Teams equipped with apparatus and under oxygen continue exploration from the fresh air base.

18. Objective 2 • Team members will identify the necessary component of a fresh air base and the procedures for establishing and advancing the fresh air base.

19. The Fresh Air Base • The fresh air base (FAB) is the base of operations from which rescue and recovery work advances into irrespirable atmospheres. This is where apparatus crews begin their exploration of the affected area. • The FAB also functions as a base of communications for the operation linking team, the command center, and all support personnel.

20. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • Often, the operations initial fresh air base will be established somewhere underground. But in some mines, especially shaft mines, it may be necessary to establish the initial FAB on the surface. And sometimes the FAB will remain on the surface throughout the entire operation.

21. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • Whether you put it underground or on the surface, the FAB should be located as close as possible to the affected area of the mine, but situated where its assured a supply of good air.

22. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • Underground, existing refuge chambers are sometimes used as FAB. Or, a fresh air base can be set up in a drift, entry (for single level, room-and-pillar mines), or crosscut close to the affected area. • In these cases, an airlock must be built to isolate the FAB from the unexplored area beyond it. • The air lock allows teams to enter and exit the unexplored area without contaminating the air in the FAB.

23. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • Here are some specific factors to take into consideration when you select a site for a FAB: • Be sure the FAB is located where its assured positive ventilation and fresh air. • If the FAB is underground, it should be located where its assured a FAB way to the surface. This travel way will be used to safely move people and supplies to and from the FAB. If possible, there should also be transportation available. • The site should be situated where it can be linked to the command center by means of communication system. • There should be a communication system to link the team to the FAB. • These four are probably the most important factors that help determine where to establish a FAB, but there are also some other elements to take into consideration. For example, the area should be free of oil, and grease.

24. Visual 1

25. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • Also, the FAB should be large enough to accommodate all the people who will be using it and allow enough space for them to work efficiently • It is often recommended that all possible electrical conductors (track, pipe, wires, etc) be severed so that the affected area beyond the fresh air base is isolated from any possible stray or direct current

26. Establishing the Fresh Air Base • The FAB is normally outfitted with supplies and other equipment to be used during the operation. For example, a typical FAB will probably be equipped with: • gas testing devices • equipment for detecting oxygen deficiency • and perhaps firefighting equipment • There may be first aid supplies • Oxygen therapy equipment • As well as tools and replacement parts for the SCBA’s • THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A MAP OF THE AFFECTED AREA AT THE FRESH AIR BASE • If possible the FAB should be supplied with benches, canvas, or brattice material for the backup team to set their equipment on.

27. The Fresh Air Base Coordinator • Stationed at the FAB, there will be a person who is responsible for establishing and maintaining orderly operations, this is the FAB Coordinator. • There will also probably be an advisory committee at the FAB to help the coordinator. This committee is usually composed of: • Federal Mine Inspectors • State Mine Inspectors • Union Representatives • And sometimes runners are stationed at the FAB to carry messages from the FAB to the command center in the event of communication breakdown. The runners may also be responsible for other chores, such as taking gas samples to the surface or monitoring the communication system cable.

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29. The Fresh Air Base Coordinator • The main responsibilities of the FAB Coordinator are: • Maintaining communications with the working team and the command center • Following the teams progress on the mine map and marking findings on the map as the team reports them • Coordinating and overseeing the activities of all personnel who are at the FAB, including the Advisory Committee • Fulfilling these three responsibilities involves a number of duties. The coordinator carries out many of these duties. Some of the tasks may be delegated to other individuals, but it’s the coordinator’s responsibility to see that they are carried out.

30. FAB Coordinators Responsibilities During a Typical Operation • An incoming coordinator who is replacing another coordinator should get all necessary information from the outgoing coordinator to ensure that the changeover goes smoothly. • It is also the incoming coordinators responsibility to check communications between the FAB and the command center to make sure the system works correctly. • The coordinator also usually reports his arrival at the FAB, and logs in the arrival time.

31. FAB Coordinators Responsibilities During a Typical Operation • In addition to this, the coordinator ‘s duties also include: • Checking the name or number of the team going into the affected area to work • Checking the condition of the backup team • Checking and logging equipment and materials • Also make sure there is a map of the affected area in the FAB

32. FAB Coordinators Responsibilities During a Typical Operation • The FAB Coordinator is normally responsible for logging times that all personnel enter and leave the FAB, and for logging the time and nature of all telephone calls • As work progresses, the FAB Coordinator: • monitors communications from the working team • Relays instructions from the command center to the team • Provides information to the backup team based on reports received

33. FAB Coordinators Responsibilities During a Typical Operation • It's also usually the coordinator's responsibility to make sure someone is stationed at the fresh air base to monitor the team's communication cable if this type of communication system is being used. This person should help to unroll the cable as the team advances and roll it back up as the team retreats. • The coordinator should also make sure the requirements for a fresh air base are constantly maintained. It is typically the coordinator's responsibility to make sure that no unauthorized personnel are permitted to go forward of the fresh air base.

34. FAB Coordinators Responsibilities During a Typical Operation • As you can see, the fresh air base coordinator plays a key role in ensuring that the entire operation runs smoothly and efficiently. The coordinator maintains crucial communication links with the command center and the working rescue team. In addition, the coordinator is responsible for just about everything that goes on at the fresh air base. • Because the coordinator's job is such an important one, it is absolutely essential that everyone at the fresh air base respects the coordinator's authority and does whatever they can do to help out. In order to make the fresh air base coordinator's job a little easier, it's also essential that only those people necessary to the operation be permitted at the fresh air base.

35. Advancing the Fresh Air Base • In single‑level mines using the room‑and‑pillar system, the fresh air base is usually advanced closer to the affected area of the mine as soon as areas forward of the base are explored and re-ventilated. This assures that the apparatus crews will begin their explorations as close as possible to the affected area of the mine.

36. Visual 3

37. Advancing the Fresh Air Base • To advance the fresh air base, the team will have to build a new air lock at the site of the new fresh air base and put up any additional temporary bulkheads in parallel entries that are needed to seal off the area at that point so that fresh air can be advanced.

38. Advancing the Fresh Air Base • Also, the team will have to repair any damaged ventilation controls in the area between the old fresh air base and the new one. However, be sure to make the necessary adjustments for directing air to an exhaust airway. This ensures that the area can be properly flushed out and ventilated

39. Advancing the Fresh Air Base • Next, return to the old fresh air base and remove or open that air lock and any bulkheads in parallel entries. This permits air to enter and flush out the area up to the new fresh air base.

40. Advancing the Fresh Air Base • Before everyone is moved to the new fresh air base, a team should explore the area between the old and new base. Using appropriate gas testing devices, the team should check all dead ends, intersections, and high places in the area to make sure it’s adequately ventilated. • Once the entire area is explored, all appropriate checks have been made, and the area is declared safe, the team and other fresh air base personnel can move up to the new fresh air base.

41. Review Questions: • 1. What is a fresh air base?

42. Review Questions: • 2. What are the requirements for a fresh air base?

43. Review Questions: • 3. What are the three main duties of the fresh air base coordinator?

44. Review Questions: • 4. How do you advance a fresh air base in a single-level, room-and-pillar mine?

45. 1. What is a fresh air base? The fresh air base is the base of operations and starting point for rescue and recovery work into irrespirable atmospheres. ANSWERS

46. 2. What are the requirements for a fresh air base? If the fresh air base is underground, it must be situated where it's assured of positive ventilation, a supply of fresh air, and a travel way to the surface for people and equipment. A fresh air base should have communication systems linking it with the command center and to the mine rescue team. It is also best if the area is free of oil and grease. ANSWERS

47. 3. What are the three main duties of the fresh air base coordinator? The fresh air base coordinator handles communications with the team and the command center. Maps the team's progress and findings, and coordinates the activities of all personnel in the fresh air base. ANSWERS

48. 4. How do you advance a fresh air base in a single-level, room-and-pillar mine? To advance the fresh air base, construct a new air lock and any bulkheads in parallel entries that are needed, repair ventilation controls to the point where the new fresh air base is located, and provide an opening for exhaust. Then return to the old fresh air base and remove that airlock and any bulkheads in parallel entries in order to ventilate the new area. Prior to moving everyone up to the new fresh air base, a crew should perform gas tests in all dead ends, intersections, and high places of the newly ventilated area. ANSWERS

49. APPARATUS TEAMS • Once the fresh air base is established, apparatus teams will begin to explore the affected area. • This exploration may require only one or two teams, or it may continue through many team rotations. How many trips will be needed to complete the exploration (and how long it will take) will depend on the extent of the area involved and the conditions within the affected area.

50. Teams Role in Exploration • During exploration, the rescue team travels in potentially hazardous atmospheres. • As the team progresses through the mine, team members make gas tests and assess conditions. The team also searches for clues as to where survivors may be located, and locates fires. All these findings are mapped and reported to the fresh air base as the team proceeds. • As you explore, keep in mind that your first priority is team safety. The rescue of survivors comes second. Your third priority is the recovery of the mine.