6.1.3. Emergency Response

Mines Rescue Service organisations provide aided escape and recovery equipment, systems and training to supplement the initial responses of individual mines.

Systems detail:

• Guidelines for conducting mines rescue operations – to be adhered to by mines rescue personnel and for mine management guidance.

• Some mines rescue organisations have relevant management system documentation that aids operational personnel attending a mine site to comply with generic site standards.

• All mines are required to enter into agreement with the mines rescue service provider to fund and provide volunteers who are trained to deal with emergencies. This agreement also facilitates mutual response protocols and personnel for rapid deployment to the geographically closest mine.

Equipment provision:

• breathing apparatus such as BG4 (with 2 hour rating)

• gas monitoring apparatus – personal hand held multi-gas detectors (Multiwarn, Odalog) or portable remote sampling and analysis such as Drager Siphor II units

• communication equipment for inter-team and mine management communication purposes – portable leaky feeder radios

• mine site communication typically comprises I.S. Telephones and DAC systems. Leaky feeder systems are generally not used as they have been found to be unreliable due to excessive maintenance and upkeep and variable in service. One way communication through the PED pager system has been found to be more reliable though obviously provides only one way communication

• inertisation equipment – Nitrogen borehole injection capability (in NSW) or GAG Jet engine exhaust gas (in Qld).