MRS Training & Rescue provide specialist tunnelling training courses at centres throughout the UK and are able to deliver training onsite. We are able to deliver training courses which cover the different safety aspects of working in tunnel and mining environments.
MRS Training and Rescue has been in the business of keeping people safe for over one hundred years.Established at the turn of the 20th century to respond to emergencies from the UK mining industry, MRS was nationalised in 1947 along with the coal industry, becoming part of the National Coal Board.
Known then as Mines Rescue Service, we re-entered the private sector in 1996 to provide the “Escape and Rescue from Mines Scheme” required by the mining regulations. At that point we diversified by using our existing expertise to provide health and safety training and industrial rescue cover.
Today, rebranded as MRS Training and Rescue, we have retained all the governance and expertise required to operate a national mines rescue scheme, which up until 2015, was approved by the Secretary of State. This structure works for us today and helps us operate and maintain a technical rescue service that covers a range of industrial sectors.
We are still the largest private sector rescue company in the UK; and are recognised within the Mines Regulations 2014 as a specialist rescue services provider. No other rescue company, in the public or private sector can complete with the knowledge and experience that we have.
Which tunnelling training course should I choose?
We provide two industry-recognised training courses: a Level 2 Award in Tunnel Entry & Associated Emergency Procedures (TEEP – City & Guilds 6151-02) and a Tunnelling Safety Training Scheme (TSTS).
Tunnelling Safety Training Scheme (TSTS)
The TUNNELLING SAFETY TRAINING SCHEME (TSTS) is a 1 day classroom based course, designed for those who work in the tunnel construction industry. This course is designed to help those who attend understand the different aspects of the industry, the working environments and the potential hazards one might face on a tunnelling site.
Those who complete this course will be aware of tunnelling related legislation and standards, the health, safety and occupational hazards in a tunnelling environment, and associated PPE requirements – and risk assessment and management practices for a tunnelling environment.
This course is accredited by CITB, and those who successfully complete the course written assessment will receive CITB certification which is valid for 3 years.
Tunnel Entry & Associated Emergency Procedures (TEEP)
This LEVEL 2 AWARD IN TUNNEL ENTRY & ASSOCIATED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (TEEP – CITY & GUILDS 6151-02) is a 1 day course is for those who work or would like to work in the tunnelling industry during construction phases.
This course is designed to cover all aspects of safe entry into tunnels, and emergency procedures related to tunnel environments. Candidates who attend this course will learn how to safely work within a tunnel where there is likely to be foreseeable specified risks, including how to choose, use and inspect associated equipment and tools. This course is highly practical and those who attend will learn in simulated tunnel environments.
This course is approved by City & Guilds, and those who successfully complete this course will receive a City & Guilds 6151-02 certificate (ticket) which is valid for 3 years.
Practical Training Facilities for TEEP
For the highly practical TEEP course, we have simulated training facilities at our centres throughout the UK and a mobile training unit we are able to tow to sites such as construction sites, offices and factories.
As specialists in tunnel, confined and enclosed spaces training – we have specially designed tunnels at our training centres across the UK. These spaces have been designed to recreate the environments delegates are likely to work in on a day-to-day basis. They also allow emergency situations to be recreated providing candidates with an opportunity to train and practice an escape. Our courses also include practical training on how to carry out a confined space rescue in a safe manner.
In addition to the facilities available at our training centres across the UK, we also have City & Guilds approved mobile tunnel training units – which allow us to deliver tunnelling training courses at your premises, so your emplyees can learn practical skills at their place of work.
Our MOBILE TRAINING UNITS are towable and feature all the facilities we require to deliver tunnelling training onsite at construction sites, factories and offices. This option is perfect for companies looking to train more a group of delegates at a time. Our mobile units feature 2 levels of crawlways – which feature 3 tunnel labyrinths (6 tunnel labyrinths in total).
Accreditations
Tunnelling Safety Training Scheme (TSTS)
This course is fully accredited by CITB. This means, MRS Training & Rescue is a Site Safety Plus (SSP) centre and has met the scheme requirements set by CITB. SSP centres, and the trainers who deliver this TSTS course, have been assessed and passed the approval requirements of CITB – this includes a centre visit by a CITB quality advisor, and all tutors have submitted an application and been approved. For more information, visit the CITB SSP page.
Tunnel Entry & Associated Emergency Procedures (TEEP)
This course is a City & Guilds certified course, and delegates who complete this course successfully will receive a City & Guilds certificate. To be able to offer City & Guilds qualifications MRS Training & Rescue has met the criteria set by the organisation, including having the resources to deliver courses, having an internal management structure and suitable assessment sites. Our training centres and instructors have been reviewed by a City & Guilds Quality Delivery Team, who have assessed and approved us – so we qualify to deliver courses on their behalf. For more information, visit the City & Guilds website.
Mining Qualifications and Equipment
MRS Training & Rescue can cover courses that meet British Standard requirements and are a Mineral Products Qualification Council Approved Centre (MPQC) for:
- SHOT FIRING IN MINING OPERATIONS TRAINING COURSE
Having over 115 years of experience delivering confined space training and rescues means we are experts when it comes to the equipment we use and train with. We only use the equipment that through extensive testing and ‘on the job’ use, has proven to be fit for purpose..
If you would like to discuss the equipment requirements of your company, don’t hesitate to CONTACT US. You can also view the FULL LIST OF EQUIPMENT we use.
Tunneling Risks
Tunnelling operations have the potential to become dangerous places to work in. There is potential for:-
- Falls of ground (roof, sides and open face of the excavation)
- Potential for drowning due to increase in liquid levels (heavy rainfall, rising water levels in sumps)
- Fire or explosion (presence and ignition of flammable gas such as methane, vehicle fuels, cutting / welding operations, oxygen or gas cylinders, materials brought into tunnels)
- Inrush of water or free flowing solids (inrush, inundation, heavy rainfall)
- Loss of consciousness due to increase in body temperatures (burning / welding, running machinery, use of resins that may produce heat when setting, hand excavations in hot/humid conditions)
- Falls from height (mobile elevated working platforms, tower scaffolds, access ladders)
- Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen (disturbing sludge or other deposits; fumes from vehicles / generators; chalk and limestone coming into contact with acidic water can produce Carbon Dioxide gas which is suffocating; Thanet sands coming into contact with air and water can produce excess nitrogen gas creating oxygen deficient atmosphere; blasting / shotfiring fumes producing toxic gases; lowering water table may cause de-oxygenation of an area; strata freezing may introduce excess nitrogen gas risk)
- Dusts (drilling, blasting, cutting rock, crushing rocks, using cements
- Types of strata likely to give off gases
- Contact with chemicals and hazardous substances (adhesives, solvents, oils, grease, fuel, cements, resins, spray painting)
- Contact with moving vehicles / machinery
- Electric shock
- Biological hazards
- Contact with contaminated soil
(This is not a complete list of hazardous situations that may arise).
Why Use MRS?
MRS Training & Rescue are leading providers of confined spaces training and high risk rescue services for a wide variety of industries in the UK – and internationally.
Our course instructors are more than just teachers. The majority of our instructors are also real-life emergency rescuers, who have been in a wide range of dangerous environments and situations. This first-hand experience sets them apart and means they are able to provide a personal level of insight into their teaching.
With over 115 years of experience in the rmining and confined space industry, we know what we’re doing when it comes to training. We have training centres in 7 locations across the UK – some of which have been there for over 100 years. We also happily travel to provide training and rescue services, with a state-of-the-art fleet of mobile training units at our disposal.
We realise not one single solution is right for every organisation, and that’s why we offer bespoke and tailored training and rescue solutions. If you’re unsure of the training required or the risks you or your employees face, don’t hesitate to contact us.