RED LAKE REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE
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Refuge Station

Refuge stations have been around since the 1930’s when they were introduced to the Ontario Mining Act. The refuge station’s primary function is to be a safe place to go during an emergency. However, most refuge stations serve a dual purpose and act as meeting/lunch room underground. Each level has a refuge, and anyone who enters the mine needs to know the location of the closest refuge in case of an emergency.


Refuge Stations Must:
  • Be built of materials with at least a one-hour fire resistance rating
  • Be big enough to fit all anticipated personnel
  • Be able to be sealed to prevent gases and smoke from entering
  • Have a supply of drinking water
  • Have a supply of compressed air
  • Have a way to communicate with the surface (i.e., phone or radio)
Picture
Interior of a refuge station - Photo courtesy of Goldcorp
Picture
Refuge station at Red Lake Gold Mines - Photo courtesy of Goldcorp
You Might Also Find...
  • First Aid equipment
  • Tables and chairs (or benches)
  • Sink
  • Microwave
  • Fridge
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Emergency tools (i.e., axes, ropes, shovels)
  • Heater
  • Drywall mud (or other caulking material for sealing the door)
  • Safety procedure posters and binders
What To Do In An Emergency?
While mines tailor emergency and refuge procedures to their site, the basics are the same. These include:
  • If you see a fire or hear a rock blast, immediately head to the closest refuge station and report it. People on the surface will notify other underground workers
  • Seal the door, if the air outside is contaminated
  • Assign someone to let others in
  • If you smell the stench gas (smells like rotten eggs), go to the closest refuge station
  • Seal the door when expected people have arrived
  • Report everyone who enters the refuge
  • Do not leave the refuge until it is deemed safe, or mine rescue arrives

If you cannot make it to the refuge station, head to a fresh air way, create a barricade in a dead-end drift or use your jacket to create a breathing tent at a compressed air point.



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Historic Red Lake Mining
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From Hudson to Headframe
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The Mill Process
Safety
Refuge Station
Mine Rescue
Health Issues
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Goldcorp Inc.
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Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre
51A Highway 105 P.O. Box 64
Red Lake, ON, Canada
P0V 2M0
807-727-3006
heritage@redlake.ca
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The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre is a charitable organization, funded by the Municipality of Red Lake, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and through fundraising activities. Reg # 87315 2714 RR001.

  • Home
  • Heritage Online
    • Puzzles
    • Podcast
    • Online Programming >
      • Bannock
      • Comics: Narratives in Transition
      • Dream Catchers
      • Eco Printing
      • Flower Pounding
      • Fur Trade
      • Mushrooms
      • Pysanky
      • Suncatchers
      • Wild Teas
      • Woodland Art
  • Exhibitions and Events
    • Red Lake Speaker Series
    • Current Exhibits
    • Past Exhibits >
      • SouthPaw Photography
      • EZHI NAMANG: HOW WE SEE IT
      • Red Lake on the Move
      • Fish Stories
      • Red Lake Art Show 2016
      • Red Lake Art Show 2017
      • Red Lake Art Show 2018
      • Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
      • Fire People >
        • Fire 14-1
        • Fire 14-2
  • History
    • Red Lake History
    • Aviation History
    • Immigration
    • Residential Schools
    • Heritage Centre History
    • Red Lake District Souvenir Record
  • Gift Shop
    • Accessories >
      • Jewellery
      • Key Holders
      • Purses, Wallets & Bags
    • Local Artists >
      • Rhonda Beckman
      • Valerie Blab
      • Kaila Erb
      • Lauren Furman
      • Patrick Hunter
      • Aaron LeBlanc
      • Amy Newport
      • Hidehiro Otake
      • Mark Nadjiwan
      • Sara Ramer-Dean
      • Rebecca Saikkonen
      • Wendy Yutzy
    • Books & DVDs
    • Cards
    • Clothing >
      • Scarves & Hats
      • T-Shirts
      • Long Sleeves
      • Socks
    • Home & Kitchen >
      • Glassware
      • Home Décor
      • Kitchen
      • Mugs
    • Glass Ornaments
    • Magnets
    • Miscellaneous
    • Norval Morrisseau Designs
  • Support
    • Volunteering
    • Memberships
    • Donor Wall
  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report
    • Services
    • Our Mission
    • Collections Policy
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Staff & Board
  • Mailing List
  • Mining Map
  • Donate Now