Co-chair Dr Jan Mutmansky was quick to note the session was not meant to talk about Sago, but rather to discuss the principles of mine safety that surrounded the events of it, Alma and Darby and how the industry can go about improving upon mine safety as a whole. Dr Jeffrey Kohler of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and co-chair Dr Raj Ramani were the moderators for the session, which lasted more than two hours.

The five-speaker presentation group began with Andy Erickson of BHP Billiton’s San Juan Coal operation, who spoke to the group about some state-of-the-art additions the mine has made to its emergency systems as well as the role emergency shelters should play in a mine explosion or other such accident.

When it comes to mine emergencies at any operation, he said, evacuation is and should be top priority. “Get out of the mine. Number one priority, if you can – get out of the mine.

“Don’t set up in safe havens ... waiting to be rescued. You want to get out.”

Following Erickson was a presentation on recent regulations by John Gallick of Foundation Coal, who offered an overview of the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s emergency temporary standard (ETS) announcement and its main points. Additionally, Gallick presented a timeline of state and federal actions in the weeks and months following the Sago explosion on January 2.

Hoping to help break down all of the regulatory events, he concluded by outlining what it equates to for the industry: better training, increased/improved SCSR (self-contained self-rescuer) units and lifelines that are more efficient and easier to use.

Third in the session was Al Campoli of Minova USA, who offered a comprehensive look at the seal technology options as well as some of the regulations and uses internationally.

In line with the objective of the session, Campoli offered to the guests critical issues surrounding the available and developing seal choices while speaking of the recent US accidents in principle. He also spoke about historical practices within the US and the company’s Tekseal product.

Changing gears in the safety talks slightly, Idaho firm OX-GEN official Mark Michaud presented his company’s product, a two-hour, one-time use, emergency SCSR. “We’re the new kid on the block,” Michaud began, adding that the company is only new to the mining industry and has developed products for other industries.

The unit, which weighs only 15 pounds, can be donned like a backpack or held in the hand and dispenses 99.97% oxygen via a chemical reaction rather than compression. An enthusiastic Michaud offered attendees a chance to see the pack and ask questions, noting that its MSHA and NIOSH approvals are pending.

The final presenter was NIOSH’s Jurgen Brune, who closed the session with a presentation on underground coal mine communications. In addition to weighing hard-wired versus wireless and frequency selection issues, Brune detailed the pros and cons of the various types of devices available and under development.

Brune noted a handful of devices had been tested by NIOSH but that no definitively clear superior technology could be identified at this time. As they continue to research, Dr Kohler offered a thought to an audience member looking for the agency’s thoughts. “I think it will be a hybrid,” he said.

The 11th annual symposium, being held at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania, winds up tomorrow.