How to Create a Well-Defined Evacuation Plan for Underground Mines
Underground mines are inherently dangerous. However, with proper planning and training, the safety of miners during an emergency evacuation can be greatly improved. The Community of Practice (COP) for Emergency Preparedness and Response clearly defines all the key mandatory elements of emergency preparedness and response for any underground mine.
This blog post will discuss the key steps involved in creating a well-defined evacuation plan for underground mines. We will also provide some additional tips for creating an effective plan.
Key Steps in Creating an Evacuation Plan
- Identify the hazards: The first step in creating an evacuation plan is to identify the hazards that could potentially lead to an emergency. These hazards could include fires, explosions, flooding, or structural collapses.
- Assess the risks: Once the hazards have been identified, the next step is to assess the risks associated with each hazard. This will help to determine the need for evacuation and the best way to evacuate the mine in the event of an emergency. A useful tool for fire hazard identification is fire simulations. These should form the basis for emergency evacuation in the event of underground fires.
- Develop the plan: Once the risks have been assessed, the next step is to develop the evacuation plan. The plan should include clear instructions on how to evacuate the mine, what emergency evacuation systems should be used, as well as designated evacuation routes and assembly areas.
- Communicate the plan: The evacuation plan should be communicated to all miners and other personnel who work in the mine. This will help to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Training on emergency evacuation systems is fundamentally important.
- Review and update the plan: The evacuation plan should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. This will ensure that the plan is up-to-date and that it reflects the current hazards and risks in the mine.
Additional Tips for Creating an Effective Evacuation Plan
- Use Lifeline®, a directional rope guidance system: This is a requirement specified in the COP issued by the DMRE which defines minimum requirements for emergency preparedness and response. Lifeline® can help to ensure the safety of miners during an emergency evacuation in the event of fire. This system uses a rope with attached cones that provide direction to a place of safety such as the refuge bay. It creates a safe path for miners to follow during an evacuation.
- Implement an early warning system: Early warning systems can provide miners with enough warning to escape in full visibility, thus avoiding having to escape in zero visibility. Frontline® is a fragrant-based early warning system.
- Train miners on the plan: Miners should receive regular training on the evacuation plan, systems and routes. This training should include how to identify and respond to potential hazards, how to use emergency equipment, and how to evacuate the mine safely.
- Have a backup plan: In the event of a major emergency, the primary evacuation plan may not be feasible. Therefore, it is important to have a secondary escape route in place.
- Make sure the plan is easy to understand: The plan should be written in clear and concise language that is easy for everyone to understand.
- Use diagrams and maps: Diagrams and maps can help to illustrate the evacuation plan and make it easier for miners to follow.
- Incorporate feedback: Get feedback from miners and other personnel who work in the mine to ensure that the plan is effective and meets their needs.
- Test the plan: Periodically test the plan to make sure that it is working properly and that everyone knows what to do.
Conclusion
By following these steps and tips, you can create a well-defined evacuation plan that will help to ensure the safety of miners during an emergency.