# Presentation: 141711

## Escapeways and Lifelines

**Charles P. Lazzara, Ph.D. and Linda L. Chasko**
**NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory**
**Mine Escape Planning and **
**Emergency Shelters Workshop**
**April 18, 2006**

***The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.  Mention of any company name or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.***

**Notes:**
At the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, we focus our research and development efforts on technologies that will allow us to teach and assess miners’ workplace health and safety skills.  Our aim is to help the industry attain a healthier and safer workforce through training.

## Emergency Response and Rescue Program

- To enhance the safety and effectiveness of mine emergency responders

- GOAL

- First Responders	  	 →	 Miners

- Second Responders	 →     Fire Brigades

- Sustained Responders	 →     Mine Rescue Teams

- NIOSH

## Research Objectives

- Conduct and evaluate smoke evacuation exercises at operating mines
- Enhance evacuation preparedness
- Improve confidence level
- Develop/identify and evaluate technology to assist evacuating miners in smoke filled entries
- Improve chances of a safe evacuation

## Smoke Evacuation Exercises

- Since 2000, over 1,900 mine workers participated in smoke evacuation exercises at nine mines.

## Technology Evaluated

- Flame retardant polypropylene rope
- 900 lb breaking strength
- Plastic directional cones with reflective tape

- Directional Lifeline

## Reflective materials
Chemical lightsticks
Strobe lights
Handheld lasers

- Chemical lightsticks
- Strobe lights
- Handheld lasers

- Technology Evaluated

## Exiting a smoky entry with the aid of a laser and directional lifeline, wearing a reflective vest.

## I learned something new from this exercise

-   Strongly				           Strongly
-    Agree				 	           Disagree

## After this exercise, I feel better prepared to travel in smoke

-   Strongly				           Strongly
-    Agree				 	           Disagree

## The directional lifeline was useful for escape in smoky entries

-   Strongly				               Strongly
-    Agree				 	               Disagree

## The laser was helpful for escape in smoky entries

-    Strongly				              Strongly
-     Agree				                            Disagree

- Not every miner had a laser; some had walking sticks.

## The strobe lights are useful for escape in smoky entries

-   Strongly				           Strongly
-    Agree				 	           Disagree

## The chemical lightsticks are useful for escape in smoky entries

-   Strongly				           Strongly
-    Agree				 	           Disagree

## Comments

- Good exercise on what smoke filled entries would be like.
- Very helpful exercise.
- Green was more visible with all the devices.  The escape rope was the most useful.
- The lasers helped the most to find the ribs.  I don’t think that the lifeline would last long, but it definitely helps a lot.
- Travel time slows considerably in smoke.  A good fact to consider when deciding where to space SCSR’s.
- Place strobes on the escape rope for better effectiveness in actual situations.

## Lighted Lifelines

## CONCLUSIONS

- Underground smoke evacuation exercises better prepare miners for escape through smoke contaminated entries.
- Directional lifelines were selected by miners as the optimum escapeway aid.
- Laser pointers and strobe lights were also found to be beneficial.

## More Information....

- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pdfs/2006-105.pdf