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What is a Responsible Person?
30 CFR Part 75.1501. For each shift that miners work underground, there shall be in attendance a responsible person designated by the mine operator to take charge during mine emergencies involving a fire, explosion, or gas or water inundation.
Who Needs to Know that I am the Responsible Person?
The mine operator shall instruct all miners of the identity of the responsible person designated for their work shift.
Posting of Responsible Persons
- An up-to-date list of responsible persons must be posted in obvious locations.
- Any changes shall be promptly reviewed with all mine personnel prior to the start of the work shift.
As a Responsible Person What is Required of Me?
The responsible person shall be trained annually in a course of instruction in the mine emergency response, as prescribed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Office of Education Policy and Development
The course will include topics such as the following:
- Initiating an emergency mine evacuation.
- Coordinating firefighting personnel.
- Deploying firefighting equipment.
- Setting up a command center.
- Coordinating mine rescue personnel.
- Establishing a fresh air base.
- Deploying mine rescue teams.
- Providing for gas sampling and analysis.
- Establishing security.
- Contacting emergency personnel.
- Communicating appropriate information related to the emergency.
- Training of miners – escapeways, SCSR, chamber, and evacuation procedures.
Knowledge of Miners’ Locations
- The responsible person shall have current knowledge of the assigned location and expected movements of miners underground, the operation of the mine ventilation system, the locations of mine escapeways, the mine communication system, any mine monitoring system used, location of firefighting equipment, the Mine Emergency Response Plan (ERP), the Mine Rescue Notification Plan, and the Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of instruction.
- The responsible person shall initiate and conduct an immediate mine evacuation when there is a mine emergency that presents imminent danger to miners due to fire or explosion or gas or water inundation. Only properly trained and equipped persons essential to respond to the mine emergency may remain underground.
First Response Communications
In the event of an emergency, the responsible person must be able to relay information concerning the extent and nature of the emergency.
Evacuation Plan
- In the event of an emergency, the responsible person will follow the Emergency Response Plan for the mine.
- The responsible person will evacuate the mine of all persons who will not be needed to respond to the emergency.
- The responsible person will have a system in place to account for everyone who enters or leaves the mine.
Responsible Person Needs to:
- Know the ERP, notification plan, and evacuation process.
- Be familiar with mine maps and areas of the highest and lowest elevations.
- Know the locations of self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) storage units and number at each location, location of refuge alternatives, and mine phones.
- Know the location of primary and secondary escapeways from all assigned work areas.
- Know the locations of emergency response materials, if applicable.
- Know the approximate travel time to working sections (walking and mantrip).
- Have a check-in/out system to track personnel.
- Have a plan to debrief evacuated personnel to obtain critical information.
- Have knowledge of the mine monitoring and evacuation warning system.
- Account for all underground miners.
- Gather all miners not dealing directly with the emergency at strategic locations.
- Verify that electrical power has been de-energized to the affected area.
- Determine the number of miners in the group and evacuation routs to be traveled.
- Help determine the safest and quickest route to the surface.
- Be prepared to delegate duties to other competent personnel.
Mine Gases
- Oxygen – Normal air 21%, supporter of combustion.
- Nitrogen – Oxygen deficient atmospheres, areas of inadequate ventilation.
- Methane – Explosive range 5% to 15%.
- Hydrogen – After a mine fire or explosion.
- Carbon Dioxide – After a mine fire or explosion.
- Carbon Monoxide – During a mine fire or explosion.
- Acetylene – Following a methane explosion in air that is low in oxygen.
If an emergency occurs at a mine, it could be hours before mine officials and regulatory agencies arrive at the mine site to help. The responsible person must be properly trained to step up and manage mine emergencies.
KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training, supervision, or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI, by publication of this information, does not assume liability for damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of any person, place, or object, including, but not limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers, or place of business.
