Independent Review of MSHA's Actions at Crandall Canyon Mine

emergency with role-playing by all participants. The exercise simulated, as closely as possible,
the activities, interactions, and pressures encountered in a real emergency. MERD training
was given the highest ratings by MSHA’s managers, and spin off training was extended to
labor groups, mining companies and other government agencies.
Unfortunately, MSHA elected to discontinue this training for managers in 1990, according to
training records maintained at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy. Since that time,
there has been a turnover of most of the MSHA managers. Kevin Stricklin, Administrator for
Coal, stated that since 2006, eight of the 11 Coal Mine Safety and Health District Managers are
new to that position. Neither the District 9 Manager nor the Assistant District 9 Manager for
Inspection Programs had received the MSHA MERD training. Both assumed their current
positions after the MERD training was discontinued. Any and all knowledge and expertise
these two managers have in dealing with mine emergency rescue operations was acquired
through first hand experience. The three roof control specialists from MSHA’s Technical
Support Roof Control Division who performed duties during the rescue operation at the
Crandall Canyon Mine have not received MERD training and had never been involved in any
type of mine emergency. Most of the current District Managers, Assistant District Managers,
and management personnel in Headquarters have never participated in an MSHA MERD
Training exercise.
Several MSHA management personnel involved with the rescue effort at Crandall Canyon
Mine were of the opinion that many of the established procedures for conducting mine rescue
operations were only applicable while explorations were ongoing. Due to the misconception
of what a mine rescue operation entails, many of the standard procedures that should have
been followed were not adhered to during the rescue operation. For example, there was no
formal process established for briefing rescue workers before they entered the Mine or
debriefing them after they exited the Mine. The term “mine rescue/recovery operation” is
used to describe the actions taken at a mine to rescue or recover trapped or missing miners.
Whether miners are trapped or are missing as a result of a fire, explosion, inundation of water,
roof falls, bounces, or other reasons, the procedures for conducting a mine rescue/recovery
operation are applicable. Historically, ground control failures have not been identified as mine
emergencies in many of MSHA’s policies and procedures.
Conclusion: MSHA failed to provide appropriate MERD training to prepare its managers for
directing a mine emergency.
Most MSHA policies and procedures addressing mine emergencies do not include ground
failures. Normally, these policies and procedures only address mine fires, explosions, and
inundations.
Recommendation: MSHA should develop a program to train personnel in charge of rescue
and recovery operations, which includes the MERD training program. The MERD training
should be provided annually, not only for top managers, but also supervisors, inspectors,
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