Recent mine disasters focused attention on the need to improve the operation and management of mine emergency response, from communications to rescue operations. Experience in other countries indicates that mine safety can be dramatically improved by implementing risk management methods, including hazard identification, risk assessment, implementation of controls, emergency response plans, and a system to manage the process.
NIOSH has initiated intramural and contract research efforts to examine the applicability of formal risk assessment practices to the U.S. mining industry. This research will use case studies at operating mines to identify potential benefits and obstacles to implementation of international methods in risk assessment and management. NIOSH has also undertaken basic research to better characterize the hazards of and means to eliminate methane explosions and large ground collapse events similar to the Sago, Darby and Crandall Canyon disasters of 2006 and 2007. This effort utilizes the expertise available at leading U.S. mining universities and government research labs through contracts in coordination with intramural research efforts.
NIOSH Projects and Activities
Project
Objective
Reducing Workplace Accidents through Risk Based Analysis
Video presentations from an October 2009 NIOSH workshop on the Major Hazard Risk Assessment process and how it's applied in the workplace.
Disaster Prevention though Risk Management Pilot Study
Assess the potential of using risk management processes to reduce the likelihood of occurrence and severity of disasters in U.S. underground mines; develop a guidance document to assist mines in the application of major hazard risk assessment
Contracts and Grants
Title
Contractor/Agency
Objective
Development of a Severe Injury Surveillance System for Hazard Identification and Guiding Technological Interventions (200-2008-24858)
University of Arizona
Identify risk factors for severe injuries and fatalities in mining as well as hazardous work processes that are amenable to technological interventions
Modeling Natural Gas Explosions for Coal Mine Safety (08FED898342)
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Use numerical modeling techniques to simulate and analyze natural gas explosions in mine tunnels
Conduct Numerical Modeling to Meet the Requirements of the 2008 Congressional Appropriations Bill Per the Attached Statement of Work (200-2008-24752)
West Virginia University
Refine the numerical simulation model LaModel to improve rock mass response and pillar loading input parameters
Deep Mine Safety (200-2008-25438)
The University of Utah
Examine the susceptibility of mines to seismic activity and identify technology to protect deep mine workers
Contract with MTS Services to Provide Digital Control System for the Mine Roof Simulator (200-2008-24535)
MTS Services
Replace the aging analog control system on NIOSH's Mine Roof Simulator with a digital control system
Major Hazard Risk Assessment Applied to Pillar Recovery Operations Iannacchione-AT; Mark-C | Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 28-30, 2009, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Barczak T, Mark C, Tadolini S, Finfinger G, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2009 Jul; :261-270
Trail Mountain Mine: a Case Study for Improving Locations of Mining-Induced Seismicity with Double-Difference Relocation Sonley-E; Pankow-KL; McCarter-MK | Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 28-30, 2009, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Barczak T, Mark C, Tadolini S, Finfinger G, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2009 Jul; :187-194
Deep Cover Pillar Recovery in the U.S. Mark-C | Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 28-30, 2009, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Barczak T, Mark C, Tadolini S, Finfinger G, Heasley K, Luo Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2009 Jul; :1-9
Monitoring Coal Mine Seismicity with an Automated Wireless Digital Strong-Motion Network Swanson-PL; Stewart-C; Koontz-W | Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Ground Control in Mining, July 29 - July 31, 2008, Morgantown, West Virginia. Peng SS, Mark C, Finfinger GL, Tadolini SC, Khair AW, Heasley KA, Luo-Y, eds., Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University, 2008; :79-86