§48.5(b)(2)

Self-rescue and respiratory devices

Self-rescue devices

Self Rescue Devices

§ 57.15030-Provisions and Maintenance of Self Rescue Devices

A 1 hour self-rescue device approved by MSHA and NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 shall be made available by the operator to all personnel underground.

Each operator shall maintain self-rescue devices in good condition.

Self Rescue Devices§ 57.15031-Location of self-rescue devices-(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and

(c) of this section, self-rescue devices…shall be worn or carried by all persons underground.

(b) Where wearing or carrying of self-rescue devices…is hazardous, such self-rescue devices shall be located at a distance no greater than 25 feet from such person.

(c) Where a person works on or around mobile equipment, self-rescue devices may be placed in a readily accessible location on such equipment.

Self Rescue Devices

§ 57.22315-Self-contained breathing apparatus (V-A mines).

Self-contained breathing apparatus of a duration to allow for escape from the mine and sufficient in number to equip all persons underground shall be strategically located throughout the mine. Such apparatus shall be approved by MSHA and NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 and shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications…

Self-rescuer training

§57.18028-Mine emergency and self-rescuer training

…(b) On an annual basis, all persons who go underground shall be instructed in the Mine Safety and Health Administration course contained in Bureau on Miones Instruction Guide 2, “MSA W-65 Self-Rescuer”…

Filter self-rescuers

MSA W-65 Filter Self-Rescuer

WHAT IS THE SELF-RESCUER?The filter self-rescuer (FSR) is made of durable metal enclosed in a corrosion-resistant stainless steel case. It is a single-use unit -- that is, it cannot be reused. Once the seal on the device has been broken, it must be used immediately and then discarded.

WHAT IS THE SELF-RESCUER?

The basic substance contained in the filter self-rescuer is hopcalite, a catalyst that changes carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas, into carbon dioxide (CO2), a relatively harmless gas. Also contained in the self-rescuer are a drying agent (to prolong the life of the hopcalite) and a heat exchanger (to lessen

the heat buildup).

The presence of CO will be indicated by heat generated within the filter self-rescuer. According to tests conducted by the Bureau of Mines, approved W-65 Filter Self-Rescuers provided adequate protection for 60 minutes in 1 (one) percent concentrations of CO.

These tests also revealed that in CO concentrations of 2 (two) percent, the heat generated by the chemical reaction of the hopcalite was almost unbearable to the wearer; nevertheless, the hopcalite still functioned properly and provided adequate protection to the wearer.

If you are ever confronted with such a situation, you MUST keep the self-rescuer in place regardless of the discomfort of the heat.

To remove a self-rescuer under such circumstances would almost certainly result in death.

WHEN TO USE THE FILTER SELF-RESCUER

Use the self-rescuer at the first indication of a fire or explosion even though no smoke is visible.

Waiting until smoke is visible may prove fatal, because the area could be filled in advance of the smoke with a poisonous concentration of CO, which is colorless and odorless.

•Use the self-rescuer ONLY for the purpose of escape or self-rescue from atmospheres containing CO.

• It is NOT to be used for such tasks as exploration or as a substitute for conventional respiratory equipment (such as masks or a self-contained breathing apparatus).

•As the name implies, the self-rescuer is intended for use in assisting you to escape.

•The primary function of a self-rescuer is to give you protection against CO.

• It will NOT provide protection in an atmosphere of less than 16.25

percent oxygen.

WHEN TO USE THE FILTER SELF-RESCUER

SHELF LIFE

The W-65 FSR has been granted a maximum total life -- which is the period of time starting with the date of manufacture to the date the unit is discarded -- of 15 years.

However, the in-service life of the unit is limited to 10 years. In-service life begins when the unit is placed in an underground mine for use or storage and continues until the discard date. In-service date marking may be done with a manual or electric scribe-type tool but never with impact-type dies requiring the use of a hammer to deform the material. This may damage the unit or produce a hole in the case.

If the unit has no in-service date marked on the case bottom, use the date of manufacture as the in-service date. W-65 FSRs produced prior to 1992 have no manufacture date etched into the case. See Table 1 for cross-referencing the unit’s serial number to determine its manufacture date.

DISCARD CONDITIONS UPON DAILY INSPECTION

Each unit must be inspected daily, if it is going to be carried, for signs of damage or any other condition which might mean the unit has been compromised and is no longer effective.

Before each shift, examine the following segments of the unit and discard the unit if any one of the conditions is found:

Check the solder seal for the red lever to see if it is broken or missing.

Check the case for damage -- dents, abrasions, holes, cracks. See if the as-shipped weight is illegible or missing. Run the “airtightness” -- immersion -- test on the unit.

Should the self-rescuer be damaged while underground, it may not be possible in cases of emergency to remove the device from the container. In the event the device will not pull free, the wearer can still breathe with the filter in the container. The space between the filter and the inner wall of the container is sufficient to allow near-normal breathing.

Donning Instructions for MSA W-65 Filter Self Rescuer

1 If the protective boot is covering the

device, remove it.

2

Release the locking device by pressing the thumb under the red release lever and pushing up . . .

3 . . . until Tamper Evident Seal is broken.

4

Grip the red release lever between thumb and forefinger and pull up hard. This should break the seal and release the locking mechanism to loosen the cover.

5

Remove the cover from the container and discard it.

6Grip the head harness of the respirator,

and pull the respirator out of the container. (If the container is dented, preventing release, see step 14.)

Discard container.NOTE: In the figure the user has positioned the device in the direction toward the other hand which is pulling the head harness by its strap from the container. If the respirator cannot be pulled from the container, the wearer can still breathe with the filter in the container.

7

Pull the noseclip away from the mouthpiece.

8

Insert mouthpiece lugs into mouth . . .bite the lugs firmly.

9

Close the lips tightly around the mouthpiece. A tight seal must be maintained throughout escape to safety.

10

Pull the pads of the noseclip apart and position pads over the nostrils

11

When released, the pressure of the pads seal the nasal passage.

12

Take off headgear and pull harness over head. Put lower strap behind the head, and upper band above the forehead as shown. The head harness will support the weight of the respirator.

13 Replace headgear. Be sure not to

dislodge the head harness. The Self-Rescuer is now ready for use. Breathing though the

devise is obviously somewhat more difficult than breathing under normal conditions. This will become more apparent under extreme exertion. Therefore, when escaping, keep calm and avoid exerting yourself too much. If possible, rest for short periods

14 Before going underground, every miner should

examine his Self-Rescuer for any external damage. If the container is dented, it may not be possible to remove the

respirator from the container. In this case, the wearer can still breathe with the filter and the inner wall in the container. The space between the filter and the inner wall is large enough to allow normal breathing. Because of the greater weight, it would be advisable to ease the load on the teeth and jaw by supporting the container with one hand.

Remain calm, breathe ONLY through the self-rescuer. Breathing resistance, similar to breathing through a dust respirator, will be experienced. This is normal -- DO NOT PANIC!!! The self-rescuer is functioning properly. Go to fresh air immediately.

Do not remove self-rescuer until you are absolutely sure you are in fresh air.

Figure 10 Go to fresh air immediately

Inspection

The Self-Rescuer should be periodically checked for air tightness by immersing it in warm water and looking for escaping air bubbles as you would check an inner tube for a leak.

Another method is to weigh the apparatus periodically. The weight-as-shipped, which includes the metal name plate weight, is indicated in grams on the bottom of each unit; any leakage will result in heavier weight due to moisture absorption.

An increase of up to 10 grams is considered acceptable. If the weight increase more than that, dispose of unit.

Also check each Self-Rescuer periodically for dents, and damage to seals.

Approvals The Self-Resecuer Respirator W65 is

approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institue of Occupational Safety and Health (Approval No. TC-14G-82) for self-rescue from carbon monoxide. (Previously assigned Bureau Approval No. 14F-76.)

Service life The Self-Rescuer exceeds government-

specified (NIOSH/MSHA) service-life requirements of 60 minutes against 1% carbon monoxide in air.

SUMMARY OF MSHA PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN P91-3

When hearing a report that a miner had pulled the mouthpiece assembly off a W-65 while attempting to remove the unit from its container, MSA conducted an investigation into the cause(s) of the problem at MSHA’s request.

MSA then issued the following reminder on the

correct method of grasping and pulling the respirator from the container:

“...grasp the head harness of the respirator, and pull the respirator out of the container. This is the required method since the head harness strap is wrapped completely under the respirator and thus pulls the respirator out from the bottom. By grasping the head harness strap, the risk of separating the rubber portion from the canister is avoided.”