Queensland Mine Rescue Service CEO Wayne Hartley is in Nashville this week for the International Mine Rescue Conference where he will discuss the QMRS model to delegates from around the world.
Speaking to International Longwall News from the United States, Hartley said the system that extensively trains Queensland mine staff to respond to emergency situations is the first of its kind and has proven to be effective.
Hartley said the system is different because the QMRS-trained mine employees are permanently based at the mines and response efforts are initiated onsite rather than calling in assistance from emergency services.
Each minesite involved with QMRS has also pledged to release its QMRS staff in the event of an emergency at another site, creating a second level emergency response.
Hartley said QMRS mines are spread throughout Queensland and undergo a series of training courses and drills throughout the year, supervised by QMRS operators to ensure they are on top of their game in the event of an emergency.
"The mutual assistance scheme effectively means that trained and ready rescue crews can be as close as at the neighbouring mine and other crews are just minutes away, while onsite crews can provide an immediate response," Hartley said.
"QMRS is financially effective and we've had interest from independent mining companies, particularly in the US where unfortunately accidents are more frequent and mine safety is such a public issue.
"I'm not sure if the system will fit into the American political culture but I'm looking forward to sharing our experience with the delegates and pick up tips and lessons from where other people have gone right or wrong."
Hartley said attending the conference was a sobering event as all delegates wore black armbands to respect the workers and rescue crews killed recently at the Crandall Canyon mine in Utah.
"We haven't have a serious mine accident of that scale in more than a decade so to come and be a part of the conference while Americans are still very much going through such a tragedy makes it so much more real," he said.
