Mine Rescue Training Standards

Transcription

1 Mine Rescue Training Standards NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

2 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction Section 2: General Requirements for Mine Rescue Certification Section 3: Introductory Mine Rescue Certification Training Requirements Section 4: Advanced Mine Rescue Certification Training Requirements Section 5: Mine Rescue Trainer Certification Requirements Appendix

3 Mine Rescue Training Standards Section 1 INTRODUCTION The objectives of mine rescue are to find and rescue trapped miners, find and extinguish fires and examine mines for noxious gases. Those involved in the high risk occupation of mining must be prepared to respond should an emergency occur and take the necessary precautions required to ensure worker safety. This standard applies to all underground workplaces where employees are expected to carry out work and includes areas where mining is to take place including exploration drilling/sampling activities, tunnels, adits, ramps and shafts/structures. Legislative Authority This standard is based on the legislative authority of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Mines Safety of Workers Regulations under the Mines Act. Appropriate sections are referenced as follows: Under the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, the duties of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (the Commission) 20.2 In order to promote health and safety in workplaces and to prevent and reduce the occurrence of workplace injuries and diseases the commission shall: (e) develop standards for the certification of persons required to be certified under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and approve training programs for certification; (f) certify persons who meet the standards referred to in paragraph (e). Under the Mines Safety of Workers Regulations, Training for Rescue Equipment: 111. (1) In this section "commission" means the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission established under the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act. (2) The operator and manager of a mine shall cause such workers and supervisors to be trained in the use and maintenance of mine rescue equipment as the commission considers necessary and the course of training to be followed shall be one approved by the commission

4 Minimum Standards (6) Each person completing an approved course in the use and maintenance of mine rescue equipment may present himself or herself for examination as to his or her competency before an examination board consisting of an employee of or a person appointed for the purpose by the commission and an official of the mine at which he or she is employed. (7) The commission may issue a certificate of mine rescue training to each person complying with the requirements of the examination board referred to in subsection (6). The Commission has prescribed minimum standards for Mine Rescue Certification Training which mining operations must meet in the following areas: 1. Mine Operators and Managers will have qualified trainers that are certified by the Commission to deliver Mine Rescue Certification Training. 2. Mine Operators and Managers will ensure the delivery of Mine Rescue Training meets the Commission s Standard for Mine Rescue Certification Training. 3. Mine Operators and Managers are responsible for the testing of trainee competencies and maintenance of training records after all components of training has been completed. These records must be maintained on site for as long as the workers are employed. 4. The Commission will issue certificates of competency to each person successfully completing an approved course in the use and maintenance of mine rescue equipment delivered by qualified trainers. 5. Mine Operators and Managers are responsible for conducting self audits of the Mine Rescue Training against the Commission s Mine Rescue Standard to ensure that it is being followed. The Commission will conduct audits periodically to ensure the Commission s Mine Rescue Standard for Mine Rescue Training is being followed. 6. Mine Operators and Managers will ensure as a minimum, three fully-outfitted, five-person teams (15 people) with additional equipment for 1 person for each property. There must be 10 trained mine rescue people on surface/site or in close proximity per shift at all times. 7. Mine Operators and Managers will ensure that arrangements are made with other established mining operations for mine rescue assistance. If neighbouring mine rescue teams are required, the property requesting assistance should ensure personnel are available to receive the arriving teams. The Department of

5 Government Services Occupational Health and Safety Division must be notified of the arrangements

6 Mine Rescue Training Standards Section 2 General Requirements for Mine Rescue Certification Training Workers and supervisors to be trained in the use and maintenance of mine rescue equipment must meet the following criteria. 1. Complete the baseline examination for medical requirements following the current CSA standard Selection, Use and Care of Respirator. Applicants must be examined by a physician and certified fit for mine rescue training and if accepted, at yearly intervals thereafter if they remain in active training (See appendix for medical fitness requirements). 2. Candidates must have the potential for developing into a competent member of a mine rescue team and have both the mental and physical qualifications. Members of mine rescue teams should be: i. not younger than 18 years of age or over 60; ii. in good health and physically fit; iii. clean-shaven, with no facial hair to interfere with the facemask seal of the apparatus worn; iv. calm and self-controlled in emergency and danger; v. of good judgement and initiative; vi. capable of performing long and arduous physical labour; vii. familiar with the underground environment; viii. a holder of a valid Standard First Aid Certificate from a recognized training provider; ix. able to follow directions and communicate in stressful situations

7 As per Section 5 of the Mines Safety of Workers Regulations under the Mines Act the following age limits are to be followed: Age limit 5. (1) A person under 18 years of age shall not be employed in the underground works of a mine. (2) A person under 20 years of age employed in a mine or in immediate connection with the mine shall not be put in charge of machinery for hoisting, for lifting or for haulage. (3) A person under 21 years of age shall not be employed to have charge of hoists used for hoisting or lowering workers in a mine or in workings connected with the mine. (4) A person under 20 years of age shall not be put in charge of or be made responsible for the charging of blasting holes with explosives or for the firing of explosives in blasting holes. (5) A person under 20 years of age shall not be entrusted with the transmission of signals and orders for putting machines in motion

8 Mine Rescue Training Standards Section 3 Introductory Mine Rescue Certification Training Requirements Introductory mine rescue certification is considered to be entry-level mine rescue training. In addition to the general requirements, potential candidates must successfully complete Basic Mine Rescue Training delivered by qualified mine rescue instructors certified by the Commission. 1. Introductory mine rescue training will consist of a minimum of 5 days of training in the classroom and underground to ensure the mine rescue team members can demonstrate theory and application of knowledge in the following areas: i) the objective of rescue and recovery; ii) the properties of normal air and gases encountered in a contaminated mine atmosphere; iii) gas detection methods and use of gas detection equipment; iv) respiratory Protection as per CSA standard Selection, Use and Care of Respirator ; v) training in wearing respiratory protection; vi) travel and work in smoke; vii) demanding work under oxygen by erecting seals and building barricades; viii) pumping oxygen 2. In order to qualify for certification, participants must demonstrate a satisfactory degree of knowledge, skill; competency and proficiency in the use of mine rescue equipment and must attain a minimum of seventy five percent on a final exam (See appendix). 3. All active members of mine rescue teams must receive regularly scheduled refresher training with at least six 8 hour training sessions or twelve 4 hour training sessions every year covering all topics to maintain their active status. 4. Should a mine rescue team member not complete the required refresher training, recertification at that level must be completed

9 Mine Rescue Training Standards Section 4 Advanced Mine Rescue Certification Training Requirements Individuals with introductory mine rescue certification training may be upgraded to advanced mine rescue certification after a minimum of two (2) years of active mine rescue certification training. 1. In order to qualify for certification, participants must demonstrate a use of gas detection equipment, travel and work in smoke, perform demanding work under oxygen by erecting seals and building barricades, be able to pump oxygen and must attain a minimum of seventy five percent on a final exam (See appendix). 2. All active members of mine rescue teams must receive regularly scheduled refresher training at least six 8 hour training sessions or twelve 4 hour training sessions every year covering all topics to maintain their active status. 3. Should a mine rescue team member not complete the required refresher training, recertification at that level must be completed

10 Mine Rescue Training Standards Section 5 Mine Rescue Trainer Certification Requirements Individuals with Advanced Mine Rescue Certification Training may become a certified Mine Rescue Trainer if they meet the following requirements: 1. train the trainer (See Appendix) or equivalent and a proven ability to teach adults; 2. valid certification as a mine rescue technician as per manufacturer specifications; 3. valid certification as a gas monitor technician as per manufacturer specifications; 4. knowledge of underground environment and associated hazards; 5. demonstrated competency in mine emergency preparedness and; 6. successful completion of the following occupational health and safety training courses which are described in the appendix: i) Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) ii) Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) iii) Fall Protection iv) Confined Space Entry v) Hazmat

11 Appendix Advanced Mine Rescue Training Advanced Mine Rescue Training includes the following practical components: i) travel underground ii) emergency procedures iii) travel in smoke or simulated environment iv) make foam underground v) fire hose drill vi) construct barricade vii) use fire extinguisher vii) perform arduous work ix) equipment servicing, maintenance, use and care x) first aid Confined Space Entry This course will enable students to identify confined spaces and recognize potentially fatal hazards. Students will be taught precautionary measures and emergency procedures. Management will receive guidance in the development of their confined space safety manual. This course is recommended for employees who work in tanks, pits, ditches, trenches, vaults, exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, wells, large pipe lines or similar confined spaces. The course includes details in work permit systems, lock-out procedures, ventilation and inerting, static electricity, health hazards, testing, personal protective equipment, tank cleaning, fire hazards and emergency procedures and organization. Fall Protection The OH&S Act and Regulations contain specific directions in the use of fall protection systems, ladders and scaffolding. Fall protection is required when employees are working at heights of 3.05 meters of more over the nearest safe surface. This course is recommended for employees who work at heights, with ladders and/or scaffolding. In the classroom setting, this course examines various methods of fall arrest systems, including inspections, maintenance and usage. Students will receive hands-on exposure to selected fall arrest systems and instruction on the proper installation, usage and demolition of scaffolding

12 Hazmat This course is an introductory course designed to enable students to identify dangerous goods and how to respond should a hazardous goods incident occur. The course is normally 24 hours in duration with a Basic Firefighting course as a pre- requisite. Introductory Mine Rescue Training Formal training in mine rescue and recovery includes several courses. Each course must be completed and an examination (written and practical) must be passed. Basic Mine Rescue Certification Training includes the following contents: i) authorization ii) definition of mine rescue iii) objectives of mine rescue iv) selection of mine rescue personnel v) mine gases vi) gas detection vii) protection against gases viii) SSR 90 (Self contained closed circuit oxygen breathing apparatus for conscious victims) ix) self-rescuer apparatus x) primary breathing apparatus xi) - BG 4 (industry standard) xii) apparatus tests xiv) apparatus servicing xv) standard equipment xvi) emergency procedures xvii) firefighting xviii) written test xix) practical evaluation -- o travel underground o emergency procedures o travel in smoke or simulated environment o make foam underground o fire hose drill o construct barricade o use fire extinguisher o perform arduous work o equipment servicing, maintenance, use and care o first aid

13 Medical Fitness Requirements The selection of suitable personnel for work in mine rescue and recovery operations depend on the judgement of mine management, the examining physician and the Mine Rescue Trainer. The examination requires assessment of the following: i) annual fitness certification conducted by a physician ii) history of respiratory disease iii) history of cardiovascular disease iv) perforated ear drum(s) v) visual acuity 20/40 vi) X-Ray (as prescribed by phys.) vii) electrocardiogram (exercise. ECG) o initial o annually after 40 vii) pulmonary function test o annually viii) complete blood count o annually ix) urinalysis o annually x) biochemical profile of blood o annually xi) age between 18 and 60 xii) good physical health xiii) hepatitis B xix) other - audiometric testing xx) other - all other noted by Physician Refresher training must be regularly scheduled. Train the Trainer modified for mine rescue This course is designed to prepare the participants to design and deliver high-quality interactive skill-based training to other employees and evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided. The course will cover the following topic areas: the legislated requirements for training; adult learning principles; instructional design; training delivery methods; facilitation skills and presentation techniques; as well as methods for evaluating and analyzing training effectiveness. Small group activities and participant presentations are used to review, apply and practice the content and skills presented during the course so that participants can apply them to their own training situations. The instructor and participants will informally provide feedback during presentations and activities. This course is directed to both new and experienced instructors who are responsible for developing, delivering and evaluating effective training programs for industry

14 Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Provincial regulations require that any persons handling, offering for transport and/or transporting dangerous goods be trained and certified in Transportation of Dangerous Goods. This 1 day course will enable participants to identify dangerous goods by using labels and placards and to understand their responsibilities when transporting dangerous goods. Students will be certified upon the successful completion of this course. Certification expires every three (3) years in accordance with legislation. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS "controlled products", the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education programs. This generic course is designed to create an understanding of the elements of the WHMIS system. At the end of the session, participants will be able to identify controlled products by the labels, recognize the WHMIS hazard symbols and understand how to utilize Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)