REALISM was the key to the Mines Rescue Open Cut Mining competition earlier this month that tested the skills required for a quick reaction to workplace accidents.
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A total of eight mines sent teams to the annual event at the Hunter Valley Mines Rescue Station, which was eventually taken out by Bulga Coal.
Crews from NSW Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service and NSW Ambulance also attended the day and provided a communication challenge to the miners who had to coordinate with the emergency services.
“Making it real as possible is part of what we do here,” Mines Rescue regional manager David Connell said.
“We can simulate situations with a higher risk than is possible to control at mining sites.”
One of the situations created was the scene of a two-car crash at night time on a mine site where one car has fallen into a culvert. The screams, and acting, of the people in the vehicles transported the miners there.
Another accident setting involved a car on fire, something that isn’t possible to recreate at a mine site.
Other scenarios featured stabilising a worker who has a head injury after falling five metres to the ground, complete with graphic make-up to emphasis what has happened during the hypothetical scenario.
“All the teams on the day demonstrated exceptional skills,” Mr Connell said.
“Many of the rescue team members commit their own time to learning and practising the techniques that may save a life of a workmate.
“These people are confident, skilled and competent to take charge and lead a response.”
Rural Fire Service officer Steve Brown said it was great to have the multi-agency operations in Singleton because the mines were a different environment.
And, if they are called to a mine site, they’ll recognise more of the emergency response teams at the mines, he added.
