Operations have emergency response teams to respond to incidents with the potential to threaten lives and assets. The provisions of information, instruction, training and supervision is an essential component of any safe system of work.
What do emergency response teams do?
Mining operations need to respond appropriately to incidents on site. Based on the site’s emergency plan, personnel responding to an emergency must be trained and competent across various emergency disciplines such as; road crash rescue, vertical rope rescue, confined space rescue, fire, medical, hazmat.
Many operations have emergency response teams to respond to incidents with the potential to threaten lives and assets. These highly skilled emergency response teams may also be asked to assist in nearby emergency situations at other mine sites or in their community.
Why is training important?
Training and competency assessment are important to ensure all employees, including emergency responders, can effectively implement the site’s safe systems of work and emergency plan.
The type of mining operation and its hazards pose different risks for the emergency response team.
A training needs analysis should be undertaken to determine training and verification of competency requirements for the incident management team, emergency response team (ERT) members and the general workforce by:
- identifying the required competencies to perform the role, job or task
- identifying current competencies of personnel
- identifying gaps by comparing personnel competencies against role requirements
- planning and implementing a means of filling the gaps.
Members of the emergency response team should be formally trained and understand the site’s emergency plan and the emergency management system, as well as their own roles and responsibilities.
For information on emergency response training courses and providers, visit training.gov.au
Role of mines rescue competitions
Mines rescue competitions provide a valuable opportunity for emergency response teams to test and hone their skills across a wide range of realistic emergency response scenarios. Competitions are also an opportunity to demonstrate competency, and identify potential gaps in training and knowledge.
Some large mining companies run in-house competitions between sites.
Several organisations present competitions on behalf of industry, and these are proudly supported by the Department of Mines and Petroleum through sponsorship and the involvement of staff.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) hosts surface and underground mine emergency response competitions in the regions. Visit the CME website to find out when Mine Emergency Response Competitions are planned.
The Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC) is a Perth-based competition that also provides an opportunity for the general public to see the value and importance of emergency response and rescue training in Western Australia’s mining industry.
Find out more about the MERC.