Thermal imaging using IRC can detect leaks in respiratory protective equipment and has the potential as a screening tool for assessment of the adequacy of post-donning FFR fit.

Safety and production of coal mining operations could be greatly affected by geologic anomalies such as faults, sandstone intrusions, dykes, fracture zones, sudden thinning and severe undulation of the coal seam. Since most of these geologic anomalies in coal seams effect the attenuation rate of electromagnetic signal that passes through them, the radio imaging method (RIM), using a signal in the kilohertz range, is capable of locating the zones of geologic anomalies in underground coal mines with the help of tomographic reconstruction programs. RIM technology is a promising geophysical tool for exploring the geologic anomalies ahead of modern longwall faces, which are normally wider than 1,000 ft. When multiple geologic anomalies co-exist in an area, it is very difficult for RIM technology to differentiate the contributions of each individual anomalous factor. Other problems with RIM technology are the angular spreading and moisture content is not taken into consideration of the surveyed area. To increase the accuracy of RIM technology, spatial spreading testing and a scaled physical model were employed to investigate the capabilities and limitations of RIM technology. To simulate the RIM technology, a Ground Penetration RADAR (GPR) system was modified and a higher frequency signal was used in the scaled physical model. One of the problems using the GPR was that data collected was represented in counts and formulae had to be developed in order to convert the data into volts. Laboratory testing was conducted to assure proper similarities between the actual longwall panel and the scaled physical model. These model tests were done to gain a better quantitative understanding of the propagation of EM signals in the physical model. The testing procedure and data results are presented and quantified. iii DEDICATION This Master thesis is dedicated to my great grandfather, Patrick John Monaghan (1866-1949) and my father Patrick David Monaghan (1934-2000). My father was my best friend, my greatest hero, and a great mentor. He always encouraged me to do my best and to treat others with respect. My father told me about my great grandfather's life as a coal miner. My great grandfather was a coal miner in the early 1900's in Dravosburg, PA, and placed his life in harm's way every day when he worked in the coal mines. I received my great grandfather's coal mining pick as a gift on Aug 19, 2006 at the annual Monaghan 57 th family reunion held in South Park, PA. I now treasure his coal mining pick with great pride and honor. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author wishes to thank those of the Department of Mining Engineering for being members of my committee, who have contributed to the preparation and completion of this thesis. A debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Yi Luo (my Advisor) for his encouragement and guidance in my studies at West Virginia University. Special appreciation is also given to Dr. Syd S. Peng, for his support and valuable suggestions during this research work. I would also like to thank Dr. Keith Heasley for being on m...

The mining industry is among the top ten industries nationwide with high occupational injury and fatality rates, and mine rescue response may be considered one of the most hazardous activities in mining operations. In the aftermath of an underground mine fire, explosion or water inundation, specially equipped and trained teams have been sent underground to fight fires, rescue entrapped miners, test atmospheric conditions, investigate the causes of the disaster, or recover the dead. Special personal protective ensembles are used by the team members to improve the protection of rescuers against the hazards of mine rescue and recovery. Personal protective ensembles used by mine rescue teams consist of helmet, cap lamp, hood, gloves, protective clothing, boots, kneepads, facemask, breathing apparatus, belt, and suspenders. While improved technology such as wireless warning and communication systems, lifeline pulleys, and lighted vests have been developed for mine rescuers over the last 100 years, recent research in this area of personal protective ensembles has been minimal due to the trending of reduced exposure of rescue workers. In recent years, the exposure of mine rescue teams to hazardous situations has been changing. However, it is vital that members of the teams have the capability and proper protection to immediately respond to a wide range of hazardous situations. Currently, there are no minimum requirements, best practice documents, or nationally recognized consensus standards for protective clothing used by mine rescue teams in the United States (U.S.). The following review provides a summary of potential issues that can be addressed by rescue teams and industry to improve potential exposures to rescue team members should a disaster situation occur. However, the continued trending in the mining industry toward non-exposure to potential hazards for rescue workers should continue to be the primary goal. To assist in continuing this trend, the mining industry and regulatory agencies have been more restrictive by requiring additional post disaster information regarding atmospheric conditions and other hazards before exposing rescue workers and others in the aftermath of a mine disaster. In light of some of the more recent mine rescuer fatalities such as the Crandall Canyon Mine and Jim Walters Resources in the past years, the direction of reducing exposure is preferred. This review provides a historical perspective on ensembles used during mine rescue operations and summarizes environmental hazards, critical elements of mine rescue ensembles, and key problems with these elements. This study also identifies domains for improved mine rescue ensembles. Furthermore, field observations from several coal mine rescue teams were added to provide the information on the currently used mine rescue ensembles in the U.S.