A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF MINE RESCUE SYSTEMS IN THE USA AND GERMANY

摘要

Mine rescue systems are rapidly changing in Germany following the closure of the underground coal mines in 2018. Remaining mines are often too small, specialty operations or visitor mines that cannot staff their own mine rescue teams. Similar developments are occurring in other European countries and, to some extent, in the U.S. This research project investigates mine emergency and rescue systems in the U.S. and in Germany to compile information about the redesign of mine rescue systems and compares important aspects of mine rescue organization between Europe and the U.S. Throughout this investigation, researchers focused on three main aspects of mine rescue: framework; the overall organizational structure as well the structure within underground rescue teams and the breathing equipment used.