Mine Rescue in the Czech Republic

Dräger Review: Václav Pošta

Dräger Review 100 Interview: Václav Pošta

Dräger Review 100 Interview: Václav Pošta

Václav Pošta is director of the Central Mine Rescue Station in the Czech Republic. The mines there have been using equipment from Dräger for about 100 years.

Mr. Pošta, what are you most proud of when you look back on your many years of experience as a leader of the Czech mine rescue service?

Mostly of the fact that during the course of 31 years – in other words, the period when I directly supervised accident control – not a single life was lost among the mine rescue personnel.

Are you still aware of the potential hazard you face when you enter a mine?

Yes, I am. After all, mining affects the environment and can for example result in rock bursts, eruptions of gas, water and coal or accumulations of gas. These are hazards that you must never ignore! Everybody, even the best mine rescue worker, therefore has to be aware of and show respect for the forces of nature and the mine as well. Those who don’t are putting not only their own health and life at risk – but those of their colleagues as well.

What have been the most important developments for mine safety in the Czech Republic during the last ten years?

First and foremost, we’ve invested in training and equipment for the personnel. In the last two years alone, about 20 million euros have been spent on shoes, work clothing with reflectors, oxygen self-rescuers, mine lamps, and gas sensors with logging features. In parallel with this, OKD has continued to bring more uniformity to its equipment. For example, every miner works with the same oxygen self-rescuer and gas sensor. And during the last two years, OKD has invested over 330 million more euros in innovations associated with extraction and driving technology. That helps increase safety too.

OKD is a large corporation. How is the mine rescue service organized for its various mines?

In addition to the Central Mine Rescue Station, there are seven other mine rescue stations. These sites have almost 800 voluntary and professional mine rescue workers who see to the safety of miners and provide rescue services.

Are you only responsible for safety and rescue services in the mines?

Oh, no. Mining is the focus of our work, of course. From the four mines currently active, OKD extracts about 13 million tones of coal per year. But our work extends beyond that. Mine rescue services also play a part in construction projects where mining methods are used, such as when tunnels or underground utility lines are built. We also have agree¬ments with the fire department and the Integrated Rescue System of the Czech Republic for civil deployments: In the event of a fire in a high-rise building, for example, we can provide 300 self-rescuers for the evacuation of victims.

What role does mining history play for the current status of mining safety in the Czech Republic?

Mining in our region started in the 19th century when this area was still a part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. There have always been links here with Austrian and German mining. And the many years of experience provide a foundation for today’s work. In the last 20 years, the mine rescue service has been reorganized and made more efficient. This is all regulated in the mining law, in State Mining Authority regulations and in the rules of service for the main office of the mine rescue service. We have paid particular attention here to even better training and qualification of the mine rescue personnel. Each of them has to be proficient in using the respiratory protection and resuscitation equipment; full-time mine rescue personnel additionally have to master rope access techniques and diving equipment.

Was the 4th International Mines Rescue Conference (IMRC), which took place in the Czech Republic in the fall of 2009, a flagship project for you?

Definitely. Alongside the development of the mine rescue exhibition in Ostrava, the conference of the International Mines Rescue Body and the 4th International Mines Rescue Conference in 2009 were outstanding events that also help raise awareness of our work among the general public.

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