By Lindy J. Gwinn, Mountain Valley News staff
LaVonne Turpin, who is the President of the Colorado Mine Rescue Association, and an employee at West Elk Mine in Somerset, took a few days last week to oversee the mine rescue competition held at Delta High School.
Twenty-one teams from four states came to Delta to train and compete in the mine rescue scenarios.
According to Turpin, each mine is required to have two rescue teams, and each member of the team is required to take a minimum of 96 hours of training each year. The teams are required to complete two mine rescue competitions each year.
“Most of the training is done in-house by trainers from the Colorado Division of Mining and Geology. We train in-house once a month and, at least every two years, each team member goes to Idaho Springs to train in the Edgar Mine Training Facility,” said Turpin.
Mine rescue team members are trained to respond to accidents underground as well as on the surface. “We train for what we hope never happens,” said Turpin.
Mine rescue team members are either certified EMTs or trained first responders. They are called upon in the event of an underground explosion, thermal event, or cave-in, as well as surface accidents where an employee is injured.
“These experts are not only trained to assess and stabilize an injured miner, rescue a trapped miner and give initial medical support to an injured miner, but they are also trained to keep themselves safe and not become another victim in the mine such as the situation recently in the Big Brand Mine,” said Turpin. The Mine Safety and Health Administration closely monitors the training and use of equipment.
“Since the early 1900s, people have been trained to assist with emergency situations in the mines. The training and equipment has come a long way since then and there are ever-emerging technologies that continue to become available that allow us to be better all the time. One of the technologies that we are waiting for MSHA approval is an infrared camera. The infrared will allow us to see people even with heavy smoke, dust and darkness,” said Turpin.
“All of the equipment that we use has to be approved by MSHA. It takes about $15,000 and a long time to get a new piece of equipment approved for use underground. Some of the equipment that we use now are brass axes, picks, hammers and punches. Brass does not create a spark when it strikes metal so there is no chance for ignition. We also use airbags, cutters, and other tools in rescue situations,” she explained.
According to Turpin, mines in the west have very good safety records compared to the eastern mines.
“The government’s reaction to accidents such as the ones that we have seen back east, and even in Sago and Big Branch were more regulations. In fact, the current regulations are sufficient if they were just enforced. The companies that have these safety issues and accidents need to be held responsible,” said Turpin.
Turpin thanked the local service groups that have been involved for doing such a great job serving food to the mine teams.
“The high school boys football team has been serving breakfast and lunch along with helping us set up the course outside."
An awards banquet was held at the Lions Pavilion on Thursday evening. MSHA provided the judges for the competition.
