MERITS Field Tests

Field testing of the Mine Emergency Response Interactive Training Simulation (MERITS) was conducted with eight full-day training sessions at four locations in Colorado, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. These field tests benefited from the knowledge and experience of State of Pennsylvania inspection officials, representatives of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), and private mine management who served as trainees for the MERITS training sessions. Trainees self-reported an average of 20 years of work experience in the mining industry. All trainees had participated in Mine Emergency Response Development (MERD) training exercises and many had been involved in real mine emergencies. Trainee evaluations of the MERITS program are captured in the following statements:

Trainee Evaluation of MERITS

• 26 of the 27 trainees thought the MERITS simulation helped them know how to prepare for a real emergency.
• 25 of the 27 trainees thought the storyline for the MERITS simulation was either very realistic or realistic.
• All 27 trainees thought the MERITS simulation helped them learn how to better handle a real emergency.
• None of 27 trainees stated they were bored during the simulation.

After these initial field tests, MERITS was refined and retested during training sessions for individuals from state agencies, the UMWA, and private industry. Mining personnel from underground coal and underground stone mines participated and responded positively to the learning experience.