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Mining & ExplosivesContest Field Rules
Twenty flashcards on the MSHA metal and nonmetal mine rescue contest: written test, signals, team stops, gas checks, barricades and roof supports.
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20 cards
- How many questions are on the contest written test, and how many are on mine gases?
- Thirty questions, with at least ten on mine gases.
- Where do the written test questions come from?
- From MSHA Publication 3027, the instructor's manual for mine rescue training.
- Who takes the written test, and which scores count?
- Team members No. 1 through 7 take it; the six best scores count for the team.
- What kind of questions can the written test use?
- Multiple choice with at most 4 choices and/or true-false, where true is always A and false is B.
- What does the contest briefing cover?
- Mine classification, how often explosive gas is found, map accuracy, fan condition, guards, power status, work done, agencies notified and reserve teams.
- What does the captain tell the official on reporting to the field?
- That the team is fully equipped, properly trained and physically fit, and is there to help with the rescue and recovery work.
- How does the problem start?
- The captain starts the timing device and dates the board before receiving the problem and the map.
- On the contest map, what do solid and dotted lines mean?
- Solid lines are actual workings and known conditions; dotted lines are projections that may not be accurate.
- What do 1, 2, 3 and 4 horn blasts mean?
- 1 is stop, 2 is advance, 3 is retreat and 4 is distress.
- Who checks the apparatus when the team goes under oxygen?
- The captain checks each member's apparatus, and a team member checks the captain's.
- What must happen before the team enters smoke?
- An apparatus or personnel check and a count-off; in smoke, everyone holds or is fastened to a lifeline.
- How far may the examination of a mine entrance go?
- No more than twenty-five (25) feet, and the whole team does not go into the entrance.
- What is the rule for water in the contest?
- Teams shall never travel through water over knee deep.
- Who checks for loose roof or rib while advancing?
- The team captain, visually and out loud, warning the team each time loose ground is found.
- When is the first team stop, and how often after that?
- Within fifty (50) feet of the cage or portal, then at intervals of no more than twenty (20) minutes.
- Where are gas tests made at openings off the travel route?
- Across each entry, rib to rib, within 25 feet of each opening, before the place is passed.
- Which oxygen and CO readings make an IDLH atmosphere outside a barricade?
- Oxygen below 17.0% or carbon monoxide over 1200 ppm; then the team must ventilate before breaching.
- Which other readings make it IDLH?
- H2S over 100 ppm, NO2 over 20 ppm, SO2 over 100 ppm, CO2 over 4.0%, or any smoke.
- Where must the captain mark the date and initials?
- At the farthest point of advance: stoppings, faces, water over knee deep, impassable falls, barricades, uncontrolled fires and where survivors or bodies are found.
- How are temporary roof supports set through unsafe roof?
- At most 5 feet apart, the first no more than 1 foot from the unsafe area; under 5 feet of bad roof, at least three supports.
Official sources
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
2026 Metal and Nonmetal Mine Rescue Contest Rules
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