Underground mine Refuge Chamber Expectations Training: Program development and evaluation

Refuge chambers are new devices for underground coal mines that provide approximately 96 h of breathable air, water, food, and supplies in the event of an emergency where miners are unable to escape. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a training program to prepare miners for what to expect psychologically and physiologically inside of a refuge chamber. The field tests of this training revealed that it was received very positively by miners and helped impart realistic views about the physical discomforts and psychological stresses of being inside a refuge chamber.

Research highlights► Refuge chambers are new devices for underground coal mine emergencies. ► Chambers have 96 h of breathable air, water, food, and supplies. ► Training program prepares miners for psychological and physical effects of chambers. ► Training imparted realistic views about physical and psychological stresses. ► Training was well-received by coal miners.