How Do You Safely Evacuate During a Fire in Underground Mines? Seeking SOPs and Steps

Request for Evacuation Procedure in Underground Mines

Can anyone help me by sharing the procedure or SOP for evacuation in case of fire in underground mines? What steps need to be taken, and what are all the relevant details?

Regards,
Hansa

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Thanks,
Purohit H.V.

Dear Hansaji, Please see attached a guide for reference. Synopsis from the guide is: An underground mine's safety and health management system must provide for the self-escape of persons from the mine, or a part of the mine, to a place of safety. The system must be developed through a risk assessment that includes a consideration of at least the following matters:

- (a) the location of devices for assisting self-escape;
- (b) the number of devices, including self-rescuers, to be distributed throughout the mine;
- (c) selecting and marking the location for reserve self-rescuers;
- (d) the number and location of changeover stations and refuges;
- (e) selecting and marking escape routes;
- (f) communication equipment and ways of using the equipment;
- (g) training persons in self-escape;
- (h) fitness of coal mine workers.

Hope this is useful.

Regards,
Sachin

What mines are these: Coal/Lignite or Metal mines? Please consult the respective DGMS offices for authentic compliance requirements. They have manuals for such situations, from which SOPs can be developed. Also, please consult the statutory Mines Manager (Class I and Class II) and Safety Officer, including Overman and Mining Sirdars, who are required to be fully conversant with these matters.

Warm regards.