Storm Decline Storm Decline FatalitiesFatalities

A mine rescue trainer and co-trainer were A mine rescue trainer and co-trainer were fatally injured during exploration of an fatally injured during exploration of an abandoned underground decline.abandoned underground decline.

Wearing approved self contained breathing Wearing approved self contained breathing apparatus, they collapsed while retreating up apparatus, they collapsed while retreating up a 2000 foot slope with a 15 percent grade. a 2000 foot slope with a 15 percent grade.

The cause of death was attributed to multiple The cause of death was attributed to multiple organ failure from environmental exposure.organ failure from environmental exposure.

Storm Decline FatalityStorm Decline FatalityEntry PortalEntry Portal

Causal FactorsCausal Factors A risk assessment to identify all A risk assessment to identify all

possible hazards was not conducted possible hazards was not conducted prior to exploring the abandon decline prior to exploring the abandon decline

A protocol was not developed prior to A protocol was not developed prior to the team’s exploration, nor were the team’s exploration, nor were restricted activities defined.restricted activities defined.

Constant communication was not Constant communication was not maintained between the surface and maintained between the surface and the team the team

Top of the DeclineTop of the Decline

ConclusionConclusion

The fatalities resulted from a The fatalities resulted from a failure to accurately assess failure to accurately assess the risks from exposure to an the risks from exposure to an environment with excessive environment with excessive heat and humidity.heat and humidity.

Physical Physical EnvironmentEnvironment

No air movement The decline had not No air movement The decline had not been ventilated for more than two yearsbeen ventilated for more than two years

They expected the temperature to be They expected the temperature to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C°C) with ) with very high humidityvery high humidity

They knew the oxygen level may be lowThey knew the oxygen level may be low

Risk Factors for Risk Factors for Heat Related InjuriesHeat Related Injuries

DehydrationDehydration Salt depletionSalt depletion Lack of heat acclimatizationLack of heat acclimatization Poor physical fitnessPoor physical fitness Excessive body weightExcessive body weight Medications Medications Inflammation, fever, gastroenteritisInflammation, fever, gastroenteritis Chronic diseaseChronic disease Alcohol useAlcohol use

Factors Controlling Body Factors Controlling Body HeatHeat

Heat stress is caused by high temperature, Heat stress is caused by high temperature, high humidity, radiation and low air movement high humidity, radiation and low air movement

Heat exchange from skin is influenced by air Heat exchange from skin is influenced by air temperature, air humidity, air movement, temperature, air humidity, air movement, radiation and clothingradiation and clothing

Heat loss occurs from convection when air Heat loss occurs from convection when air temperature is below body temperaturetemperature is below body temperature

Heat loss occurs from radiation when the Heat loss occurs from radiation when the temperature of surrounding objects is below temperature of surrounding objects is below body temperaturebody temperature

When surrounding When surrounding temperatures are above skin temperatures are above skin

temperaturetemperature

Evaporative heat loss accounts for all Evaporative heat loss accounts for all body coolingbody cooling

Body fluid is secreted onto skin to Body fluid is secreted onto skin to evaporate, fluid loss may be 2 evaporate, fluid loss may be 2 Liters/HourLiters/Hour

When surrounding When surrounding temperatures are above skin temperatures are above skin

temperaturetemperature

Evaporation depends on air movement Evaporation depends on air movement and the water vapor pressure gradient and the water vapor pressure gradient between the skin and the environmentbetween the skin and the environment

If sweat is not evaporated, sweating If sweat is not evaporated, sweating slows and body core temperature risesslows and body core temperature rises

Exertional Heat StrokeExertional Heat Stroke During strenuous physical activity the During strenuous physical activity the

body generates heat, causing core body generates heat, causing core temperature to elevate. Blood flow to temperature to elevate. Blood flow to skin increases and sweating begins.skin increases and sweating begins.

Cardiac output can not maintain blood Cardiac output can not maintain blood flow to support to lower core flow to support to lower core temperature and can not provide temperature and can not provide adequate blood to support muscle adequate blood to support muscle activityactivity

Victims suffer organ or tissue damageVictims suffer organ or tissue damage

Classical Heat Classical Heat StrokeStroke Hot dry skin with elevated body Hot dry skin with elevated body

temperature, headache, confusion, temperature, headache, confusion, dizziness, irrational behavior, dizziness, irrational behavior, convulsions or comaconvulsions or coma

High core body temperature (41.3 C) High core body temperature (41.3 C) resulting in liver damage, or renal resulting in liver damage, or renal failurefailure

Treatment – Rapid reduction of core Treatment – Rapid reduction of core body temperaturebody temperature

American Mining American Mining RegulationsRegulations

Mandatory regulations in America do Mandatory regulations in America do not address heat stressnot address heat stress

Adoption of recommendations is Adoption of recommendations is voluntary on the part of the mine voluntary on the part of the mine operator.operator.

In the past 5yrs, 150 cases of heat In the past 5yrs, 150 cases of heat related illnesses have been reportedrelated illnesses have been reported

Managing Heat Managing Heat IllnessesIllnesses

Develop a preventive program to Develop a preventive program to identify risks related to heatidentify risks related to heat

Implement a policy to protect mine Implement a policy to protect mine rescue personnel from heat stressrescue personnel from heat stress

Prevention of Prevention of injuriesinjuries

Management should establish Management should establish standards, policies and standards, policies and administrative controls that administrative controls that implement Risk Assessment into the implement Risk Assessment into the work cycle.work cycle.

No operating condition or urgency of No operating condition or urgency of service can ever justify endangering service can ever justify endangering a person’s life.a person’s life.