# Mining Contract: Development of Guidelines for Safely Managing Electrical Equipment and Systems in Underground Mines During Mine Emergencies and Other Abnormal Circumstances

Keywords:Electrical equipmentEmergenciesEmergency response

| Contract #                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 200-2008-26556 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 8/13/2008                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 9/30/2009                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| This contract developed guidelines to enable workers and emergency response personnel to safely manage electrical equipment and systems in an underground coal mine during a mine emergency or under other abnormal circumstances. Guidelines are needed to address a lack of mining industry consensus regarding interpretation and implementation of 30 CFR requirements and best practices for shutting off electrical power in a mine emergency to avoid possible ignition of a hazardous atmosphere. The guidelines address other key issues such as: maintaining operation of critical mine monitoring and communication/tracking systems, coordinating with necessary mine evacuation and rescue operations, and compliance with current regulatory requirements, including new MINER Act provisions. |
| - Emergency Management
- Maintainability                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

## Contract Status & Impact

This contract is complete. To receive a copy of the final report, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.

The final report contains results from an analysis of current problems related to disconnecting electrical power during mine emergencies, as well as recommendations for industry-wide guidelines for managing electrical power systems and equipment during mine emergencies. The report includes the following:
        - A detailed summary of a review of past mine emergencies, and resulting conclusions regarding the management of electrical power systems during mine emergencies
        - A discussion of electrical equipment issues relating to mine emergencies, including an overview of communications, personnel tracking, and mine atmosphere monitoring equipment, and a review of various standards applicable to electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres
        - An explanation of how expert opinion was considered and used in the subject study
        - A comparison of existing 30 CFR regulations and current common practices for managing power systems during emergencies
        - Comprehensive guidelines for safely managing electrical equipment and systems in an underground coal mine during a mine emergency or under other abnormal circumstances, including details on the approach and basis for guideline development

 

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          - Emergency Management
          - Emerging Technologies: Aiding Responders in Mine Emergencies and During the Escape From Smoke-Filled Passageways
          - Fire Response Preparedness for Underground Mines
          - Knowledge Management and Transfer for Mine Emergency Response
          - Leadership Characteristics in Escape from Three Underground Mine Fires
          - Mine Rescue and Response
          - Mobile Adaptable RF/IT Infrastructure - Experimental (MATRIX)
          - An Oral History Analysis of Mine Emergency Response
          - Performance and Safety Investigation of Emergency Backup Batteries and Battery Charging Systems for Underground Mining Applications
          - Programmable Electronic and Hardwired Emergency Shutdown Systems: A Quantified Safety Analysis
          - Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines

July 18, 2016

July 18, 2016

National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthMining Program

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