These task forces consisting of experts analyzed the rescue operation in Zofiówka and identified solutions that would further improve employee safety and streamline any possible rescue operations. “The most important thing is the safety of our miners, that is our priority! JSW has not, is not and will not pinch pennies in this area. As soon as possible we intend to deploy the modern tools, procedures and systems the experts have recommended to make it possible to harness the forces of nature more effectively”, said Daniel Ozon, CEO of JSW.
Advent of a new type of rescue services
One of the task forces dealt with solutions to streamline rescue operations in JSW. Decisions were made to set up a Central Rescue Warehouse in JSW to be located on the premises of the Zofiówka Section at the Borynia-Zofiówka-Jastrzębie mine. A list of the equipment and materials this warehouse should have in stock has also been prepared. Moreover, the task force devised recommendations regarding new solutions to improve the operation of the Mine Rescue Services Stations in the mines. Rescue workers are to work in four shifts. They are to be outfitted with modern thermal imaging equipment and other devices to scan mining pits. Additionally, duty dispatchers are to be outfitted with a system making it possible to simulate changes in mine ventilation. This tool will facilitate the running of the first stage of a rescue operation. Following the experience gained during the rescue operation at Zofiówka, the decision was also made to commence tests of new rescue equipment and select the very best for JSW’s rescue workers.
“Some of our recommendations are already being implemented. It is our intention to roll out all of the recommended changes by the end of the year. They will significantly improve how rescue operations are conducted in our mines”, said Tomasz Śledź, Vice-President for Technical Matters at JSW.
Communications and monitoring using the technology of the future
The other task force appointed by the JSW Management Board focused on devising guidelines and recommendations to upgrade the standards of communication, identification and monitoring of employees working underground in JSW’s mines. The task force members took an inventory and checked the efficacy of the means of communication and employee monitoring used to date in JSW’s mines.
After analyzing the solutions and technology available on the market and in respect of the course of the search operation in Zofiówka, the task force recommended to the company’s management board that it introduce a uniform system for communication, identification and location of employees in all of JSW’s mines. The new system is to be tested in JSW’s mines up to the end of 2018. The company’s requirements are highly rigorous. The location of employees is to be determined in real time with the ability to track precisely the distribution of employees in the various areas at risk. The monitoring and location system will operate by using fiberoptic network infrastructure. The task force also recommends the construction of a separate wireless communications system using leaky feeder (radiated signal) technology. During the course of the task force’s work, tests were also administered on a system using Bluetooth Mesh technology. This offers some hope concerning the ability to employ solutions using this technology in the future.
“Our company’s foundations are predicated on coal mining and employee safety. Modern systems will enhance job safety underground by monitoring the local working environment of all the people there and monitoring the site in limited access zones. The usage of these technologies will do more than ensure safety. This also marks another step in the modernization of our mines to extract coal more effectively”, said Artur Dyczko, Vice-President for Strategy and Development at JSW.