ROCK SPRINGS – Keeping employees safe is a major focus on industry throughout the region. On Friday, mine safety teams gathered at the Sweetwater Events Complex for the annual mine rescue competition.
Every year, teams from industry compete in a variety of challenges. The competition rotates between underground and surface competition. This year teams are competing in surface which most organizers will tell you is fun and more of a training competition compared to the underground competition which will be next year.
There are 14 teams who are competing at the Events Complex on Friday and Saturday. There are six teams from Nevada, one from Utah, one from Gillette, one from Afton and a team from Kemmerer. Local teams include Solvay, OCI, Tata and Simplot.
On Friday, teams complete in a variety of challenges. One setup focuses on confined spaces and using a self-breathing apparatus. Another stop focuses on medical emergencies. There is a Hazmat emergency scenario and also a competition with a fire prop. Teams also competed in high angle rescue as teams are rappelling off of the grandstands at the complex.
On Saturday, the teams will compete in one large emergency scenario.
While it is a competition, it also provides training for the teams. Not only do teams get to interact with each other, they also get watch and learn from each other with safety always being the focus.