Self-Contained Self-Rescuer Donning Proficiency at Eight Eastern Underground Coal Mines

摘要

The SCSR donning proficiency of 243 miners was assessed. These workers were from eight underground coal mines in the eastern United States. The objectives of the study were: (1) to gather information on skill levels, given that all miners in the study had prior instruction and opportunity to practice donning the apparatus, and; (2) to summarize a quality control procedure useful in conducting periodic evaluations of donning proficiency. The sampling procedure used proved to be both reasonable and efficient in gathering information on training effectiveness. It also provided a good statistical base for making informed site-specific decisions regarding SCSR training needs. Results from the observed samples at each of the eight mines indicate a wide variability across sites. The rate at which miners failed to isolate their lungs varied from 3.3% to 40.0%.