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Engineering students participate in mine rescue training

Twelve mining engineering students from Laurentian University School of Engineering and the University of Toronto Lassonde Institute took time off during their study week to participate in the annual Ontario Mine Rescue Student training course sponso

Twelve mining engineering students from Laurentian University School of Engineering and the University of Toronto Lassonde Institute took time off during their study week to participate in the annual Ontario Mine Rescue Student training course sponsored by the Mines & Aggregates Safety & Health Association of Ontario.

Students taking this course receive full certification at the basic level of mine rescue. It involves several hours of theory about mine rescue, procedures and safe practices in a mine emergency - especially fire. They must also become fully conversant and expert in servicing and maintaining the Drager BG4 oxygen breathing apparatus.

Once fully conversant with the apparatus and armed with the knowledge of poisonous and noxious gases, as well as rescue procedures, the students are subjected to the very rigorous test of a mock rescue at a mine.

They have to locate and rescue a “casualty” trapped in dense smoke deep in a mine. The students also have to successfully pass a written exam. Having volunteered to sacrifice their study week, they can proudly sport the hard won Ontario Mine Rescue decal on their hard hats and await that full time job upon graduation when they can extend their mine rescue training to become full volunteer members of a mine rescue team.

The week in Sudbury was not all work. The students were treated to a graduation lunch plus a Sudbury Wolves hockey game courtesy of Orica Canada Inc. These young students are to be commended for their volunteer efforts. It will not be too long before they are making a positive contribution to our industry as they embark on their professional careers.