Self-rescuers

In emergency situations, where a mine ventilation system is compromised and underground fires are releasing dangerous quantities of CO into the mine atmosphere, chemical oxidation of the CO to less-harmful C02 is the usual practice. This is achieved using a self-rescuer apparatus, which is essentially a mask, into which the mine atmosphere is drawn by the respiration of the wearer. As mine atmosphere enters the self rescuer it passes over a CuMn204 catalyst (known as Hopcalite see Veprek el al. 1986), which expedites the oxidation of CO to C02. Normally, self-rescuers contain sufficient Hopcalite to allow for 60 to 90 minutes of use, which will generally be sufficient time to allow the wearer to escape from the mine, or at least to reach a secure fresh air base where the ventilation system continues to operate. 

The auxiliary systems of the permanent refuge chamber could meet basic survival needs of refugees, including lighting system, power system, water, food, sanitary installation, armamentarium, fire fighter and self-rescuer. 

Sheng H T. The implement and product control of the standards of safety helmet. Safety, 2011, (8) 48-50. Zhang Z H. The oxygen candle starter of self-rescuer. Mine Safety, 1995, (ll) 29-36. 

Further analysis shows that the number of non-professional rescue workers (coal miners) died of gas poisoning and lack of oxygen without taking self-rescuers accounted for about fifty percent of the total casualties of them (Table 4). Additionally, casualties caused by the second explosion of methane accounted for 23.26% as they followed the management into the well blindly. Casualties caused by roof caving that resulted from improper measures accounted for 19.77% during the rescue. 

Not wearing self-rescuer Coal and methane outburst, Poisoning, fire disaster 32... 

Carbon monoxide, methane Self-rescuer Increase the weight When disaster difficult to escape... 

Self-contained breathing apparatus A self-contained supply of oxygen used during rescue work from coal mine fires and explosions same as SCSR (self-contained self-rescuer). 

Self-rescuers. The employer must provide self-rescuers approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under 42 CFR Part 84. The respirators must be immediately available to all employees at work stations in underground areas where employees might be trapped by smoke or gas. The selection, issuance, use, and care of respirators must be in accordance with 1926.103. 

All PPE must be carefully selected prior to pmchase, property stored, issued for the correct purpose, maintained (e.g. air pressure in self-coritained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders), disposed of or repaired, and disposable components replaced. Proper fitting and training are required. For example, the use of self-rescuers for mine fires. Supphed air must be checked to see that it comphes with nationalty accepted specifications for air quahty. For further information you are referred to standards on ... 

The employer must provide approved self-rescuers. Respirators must be immediately available to all employees at work stations in underground areas where employees might be trapped by smoke or gas. 

Vaught, C., Bmich, M. J.,. Kellner, H. J. (1988). Effect of training strategy on self-contained self-rescuer donning performance (Bureau of Mines information circular/19881C 9185, pp. 2-14). Pittsburgh, PA U.S. Department of the Interior. 

In an emergency, where the self-rescuer was required, the design of the cab and, in particular, the seat back rest, would have clearly created a situation which coirld compromise the safety of the driver for (a) in emergency circumstances he is likely to leave the cab and forget his self-rescuer and (b) even if he remembers, he is unlikely to be able to reach back easily into the cab to recover it. 

Assuming the woricing party was equipped with self rescuers . In these circumstances their job is to escape, but what about the casualty Self rescuers have only sufficient air to allow those wearing them to escape, if they were to attempt rescue we would likely have multiple casualties. 

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