The Fifth International Symposium on Mine Safety Science and Engineering (ISMSSE2021)

146 / 2021-10-06 14:22:31

Cooperation of mine rescue with other units and rescue services in the country and abroad

mine rescuer, rescue exercises, Mine Rescue Unit, underground workings

Tragic events and catastrophes have taken place in mining industry since the dawn of its history. Therefore, there was a need to help the victims of these events. At the beginning, the mine rescue service was not created on the initiative and will of the employer - but on the Samaritan and friendly idea represented by the miners themselves. Until the middle of the 19^th century, mining rescue consisted only in providing mutual assistance by miners working underground. The first records of the activities of organized groups of mine rescuers in Upper Silesia date back to the 70’s of the 19^th century. Nowadays, mining rescuers work practically on every underground mine and in mining plants without rescuers the protection in terms of mine rescue is taken over by the Mining Rescue Unit, which is the Central Mines Rescue Station in Bytom. The work of mine rescuers is very varied, they provide assistance mainly in the event of dangerous incidents in mines, such as underground fires, explosions of mine gases and coal dust or gas and rock outbursts. The mine rescue also performs works related to the removal of the effects of hazardous events, restores safe working conditions after the incident and conducts preventive activities.

Historical events in Europe and in the world confirm that no country, no field of knowledge and technology can develop within the isolated borders of one country. This became the basis for a wide cooperation in the  scope of mine rescue, including CSRG S.A. with numerous foreign mine rescue services, mining institutions, technical universities and other institutions working for mine rescue.

In the paper the activities of mine rescuers outside mining plants and cooperation with various services and institutions, including with the State Fire Service were described. The active participation of mine rescuers in foreign emergency operations, in the works on removing the effects of floods or construction disasters was presented. It was also shown how important it is to conduct joint rescue exercises with other services and units in the country and abroad.