Elements and Performance Criteria
- Assess incident scene and plan rescue strategy
- Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to providing aided rescue to endangered personnel in underground mines
- Obtain and interpret incident information and data to determine the hazards involved in the rescue operation, including mine monitoring data and trends
- Determine the locations of endangered mine worker(s) and the best route and method to travel to that location
- Determine the best location for a fresh air base
- Establish communication with emergency control personnel and fresh air base
- Test and check emergency equipment
- Test the mine atmosphere and determine if it is an irrespirable atmosphere
- Obtain the personal protective equipment (PPE) and breathing apparatus as determined by the incident management team
- Assess the situation to select the safest, most effective, extrication method from entrapment
- Assess threats/dangers to mine worker and rescuer
- Communicate effectively with emergency control personnel
- Locate and access emergency breathing apparatus caches
- Identify the need for, and organise additional rescue resources and equipment
- With reference to the mine plan, identify escape route and alternative escape route from the incident scene to fresh air base
- Confirm the rescue strategy as determined by the incident management team
- Extricate and evacuate to fresh air
- Isolate mine services when required, and secure incident site for safe entry
- Assess physical and emotional conditions of mine workers and administer emergency First Aid and provide support where necessary
- Don and test the breathing apparatus to manufacturer's guidelines
- Extricate mine worker from entrapment according to the agreed plan
- Evacuate from incident scene, following escape strategy, by the established or alternative escape route
- Follow determined route of travel at optimum rate of travel
- Continuously monitor the mine atmosphere and mine environmental conditions
- Evaluate the need for, and locate and retreat to a place of safety/build barricade to protect personnel from adverse conditions if necessary
- Maintain communication with emergency control and fresh air base personnel to advise of progress and receive support information/instruction
- Monitor physical and emotional condition of mine worker(s) and other rescue team members and provide support
- Monitor air/oxygen usage and adjust rate of travel where necessary
- Ensure efficient changeover/refill of self rescuer/breathing apparatus within determined operational timeframes
- Carry out post-incident requirements