OMSHR's effort on the next-generation closed-circuit mine escape respirators.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fernando R
• Description:
  The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (NIOSH-OMSHR) currently is leading an effort in the development of the next-generation self-escape apparatus as part of the research imperative directed by the MINER Act of 2006. A multifaceted contract program over the past 3 years delivered key components and base breathing modules to form the basis for developing backpack and vest-style versions of dockable self-contained (closed-circuit) self-escape respirators with hoods (CCMERs). This paper outlines the current status in developing the CCMER that incorporates a docking and switch-over valve (DSOV) for seamless transfer from one breathing device to another, and a hood with an inner mask and speech diaphragm (HMC) for ease of donning, ease of use, and communication ability. Three versions of the CCMER are being pursued, namely, the CCMER-B, which can be worn as a backpack and incorporates the features of a miner's belt; the CCMER-V, which is worn similar to a miner's vest and attaches to a miner's belt; and the CCMER-C, a breathing module cached along the escape route that can be docked to the -B and -V versions. Human factors considerations are a key element in the CCMER design, as it is to be continually worn by the miner while underground, and must be readily accessible for deployment when needed. The CCMERs are designed to be capable of being certified to 42 CFR part 84 standards, including sub-part O for mine use, and to meet MSHA permissibility regulations for use in underground mines. They are sized for sufficient oxygen capacities (Cap 2 and Cap 3 as defined in sub-part 0) to yield a duration that is of practical use in a mine escape scenario. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Mining Occupational Health Oxygen Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Underground mines; Self contained breathing apparatus; SCBA; Respirators; Respiratory equipment; Respiratory protection; Respiratory protective equipment; Breathing apparatus; Respirator testing; Oxygen; Capacity development
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISBN:
  9781510825659
• Publisher:
  Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Arizona ; Colorado ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 8 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PMRD - Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  365-368
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048767
• Citation:
  2016 SME Annual Conference and Expo: The Future for Mining in a Data-Driven World, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona. Englewood, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2016 Jul; :365-368
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Mining
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  2016 SME Annual Conference and Expo: The Future for Mining in a Data-Driven World, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7dc847c09aedf140bc731323e8446b4703641ae07d6ad9e7b7238120dab30b8f7dcaa9b938d34d035f87873a0fe7fec262d5d13dcaf290925445e82b6de3b57d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/247047/cdc_247047_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 168.02 KB ]