Underground coal: the rescue minimum, shift by shift.
Coal rule packs set a rescue minimum from the workforce. Escudo Mining works it out from who is signed on and current, alongside self-rescuers, refuges, gas detection and breathing apparatus.
Why it matters
The minimum moves with the workforce
In Queensland it is the greater of 5 or 5% of coal mine workers; in New South Wales, 5% of the underground workforce. The headcount changes every shift.
Escape depends on caches
A self-rescuer past its date or a change-over station short of par must show the day it happens.
Gas and breathing apparatus
Detectors and sets carry bump tests, calibrations and after-use tests that must be current before anyone goes in.
- The rescue minimum from the site’s rule pack and headcounts, with who counts and why
- Self-rescuers by serial and end-of-life date, issued to a person or held in a cache counted against par
- Refuge chambers, change-over stations and fresh air bases in the location tree, each checked like a vehicle
- Underground, surface, first response and inertisation teams, with positions and competencies
- Incidents with the fresh air base and control log, gas readings and the resources sent
Plant checks in the starter library
- Coal free-steered vehicle pre-start
- Continuous miner or bolter miner pre-start
- Underground vehicle brake test
- Undiluted diesel exhaust test
Starting points to adapt. Limits are never set for you: your site enters its own from the maker and its procedures.
Rule packs that cover underground coal
Queensland coal mines
Values confirmedThe greater of 5 or 5% of coal mine workers. Emergency plan tested every 12 months. Explosives stores inspected at least every 3 months, records kept 5 years.
Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 s 173; Explosives Regulation 2017New South Wales coal mines
Values confirmed5% of the underground workforce, contractors included. 6 hours under oxygen in 24. Plan tested yearly. Self-rescuer training every 6 months; coal effort training every 3 years.
Coal Industry Act 2001 s 36 and Mines Rescue NSW rules; WHS (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022 ss 96, 103New Zealand mining and tunnelling
Values confirmedTwo teams of six where 40 or more work underground. Self-rescuer training quarterly. Plan tested every 12 months.
Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016; WorkSafe ACOP Emergency preparedness 6.1, 6.3See it at your own site
Send us your refuge chamber inspection and your breathing apparatus checks. We will set up a mine site with your rule pack and show you the readiness board working.
Or email us: info@escudoready.com