The
AP Story gives details about how it was these rooms that saved the lives of the 72 miners.
A search for "emergency refuge room" turns up nothing of import on the MSHA website. I hope that it's just my limited time that is keeping me from finding out anything about this.
A rescue team reached one of the rooms late Sunday, after the mining company was unable to establish a radio link with the 30 miners in that room for 18 hours.
They made sure everyone was safe, and then closed them back inside until the air inside the mine could be cleared of toxic gases, Hamilton said.
The other 42 miners were separated into two groups in other safe rooms, and were in phone contact with rescuers.
"A lot of them said they had a good sleep down there in the refuge station," Dyck said. "They were pretty calm. They had water, they had food, they had all the stuff that they needed."
Does anyone know what the regulations are regarding the construction and maintenance of these type of safety rooms are in the USA? We need to lobby for this if it doesn't already exist. If we don't have these, then it a SAD SAD commentary on the real life implications of a country that has abandonded its concern for the social welfare through its corrupt support for the corporate welfare.
If anyone knows, please post a comment. Thanks!