MSA calibrates instruments for mine rescue contest teams

MSA was the MVP at the Superbowl for mine rescue teams in July 2000.

Besides sponsoring two trophies, we offered free equipment calibration to the 360 teams participating in the Metal and Nonmetal National Mine Rescue Contest in Las Vegas, Nevada. Two MSA engineers were available for technical support for gas detectors, both MSA’s and those of our competitors.

“I don’t care whose instruments you use,” said Rick Hartman, an MSA product specialist who organized the effort. “If you’re going to use the instrument to save lives, it should be in proper calibration.”

Held every other year by Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), this year’s contest drew 360 teams from the U.S. and seven other countries. Teams are challenged in a variety of events that simulate mine rescue operations, including equipment checks, first aid, and mapping. MSA’s free calibration clinic helped teams, who are docked points if their instruments display inaccurate readings.

In addition, MSHA judges used two MSA gas detectors as the official gas detector for judging in the two-day event.

MSA recommends that devices be tested before each use, an impossible task for most teams who traveled by air and therefore could not transport the calibration gas canisters necessary for testing.

“The companies spend a lot of time and money to let their teams train and travel to the contest,” Hartman said. “It would be a shame to get there and not have the instrument respond properly.”

MSA also sponsored two trophies: third place in the First Aid category and Third Place in the overall category. MSA’s R&D director Bob Bonahoom presented the trophies at a banquet attended by more than 2,000 industry professionals.

“We wanted to help all manufacturers and their teams,” Hartman said. “We weren’t out to sell our instruments or discredit the instruments of a competitor. Our biggest goal was offering training and support.”

For more information about calibration, call 1-800-MSA-2222.