Towards an emergency preparedness for self-rescue from underground coal mines

An underground mine is a workplace that is potentially unsafe. In an underground mine, when something goes wrong, seconds count and the initial reaction may be crucial to the outcome. The safety of mine workers depends on several interrelated variables such as knowledge of the dynamic, ever-changing environment, the ability to identify and respond to hazards, training, experience and communication. These factors may be critical to the response during an emergency. Mine emergencies such as fires, explosions and inundations of gas or water require immediate action and effective emergency operations management. During a mine emergency, responsible persons (and those who are trained to become responsible persons) should know how to conduct and assign a number of duties. Planning and training for such emergencies are key elements needed to increase the probability of survival. This paper provides an overview on the identification of safety practices, mine rescue teams and their tasks, safety management, etc. and shows that preparedness for self-rescue is one of the most important elements of an organized and timely emergency response to mines.