Program Policy Manual - VOLUME V - Mine Safety and Health ...

MSHA PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL VOLUME V
75.1502 Mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program
of instruction
In addition to the simulated drills required by the regulation,
the following additional activities may be included in the
program of instruction:
The mine operator's program of instruction, required by 30 CFR
75.1502, must include all miners on all shifts. The training
program should emphasize the location of the proper routes of
travel and the importance of prompt evacuation when such an
order is given. The program should incorporate provisions to
advise miners of changes to the escapeways, such as rerouting,
designation of other entries, and any changes in escape
facilities. It should also emphasize proper Self-Contained-
Self-Rescuer (SCSR) donning procedures. Specific situations
such as encountering smoke dictate donning the SCSR immediately,
while others may permit partial or complete evacuation without
donning the unit. As evacuation through some smoke may be
necessary, the program should include precautions to take when
smoke is encountered, as well as instruction and drills in
communication techniques emphasizing not to remove the SCSR
mouthpiece to talk in contaminated air.
All aspects of mine emergency evacuation drills required by
paragraph (c) of this Section need not be held underground. For
example, portions of the drill, such as demonstrations of fire
fighting equipment, may be conducted on the surface. The
evacuation portion of the drill need not be held at the same time
as the firefighting portion of the drill.
Subpart Q Communications
October 2003 (Release V-34) 132