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NIOSH Programs > Mining > NIOSH Research Projects MiningActivities: NIOSH Research ProjectsThe NIOSH Mining Program Portfolio includes the following research projects categorized by the primary Strategic Goal addressed: Strategic Goal 1 - Reduce Respiratory DiseasesReduce respiratory diseases in miners by reducing health hazards in the workplace associated with coal worker pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and diesel emissions.Aerosol Exposure AssessmentPurpose: Reduce respirable dust- and diesel-related health concerns by developing portable, mine-worthy devices capable of providing timely measurement of coal and silica dust, diesel aerosols, and other airborne contaminants. Project will end on September 30, 2009. Researcher: Jon C. Volkwein Particulate Measurement and Characterization in MiningPurpose: Reduce health threats to mine workers by developing real-time instruments for use by the mining industry to monitor respirable coal and silica dust and diesel aerosols present in the mine air. Project will begin on October 1,2009. Researcher: Jon C. Volkwein Measuring Diesel Particulate Matter in Underground MinesPurpose: Protect miners working in underground mines from diesel-powered equipment emissions through improvements in diesel particulate emission measurement techniques. Project will end on September 30,2009. Researcher: James D. Noll, Ph.D. Controlling Respirable Dust on Continuous Mining OperationsPurpose: Develop controls that reduce silica dust exposures for operators of continuous mining machines and roof bolting machines to prevent the development of silicosis. Researcher: Jeffrey M. Listak Dust Control for Longwall MiningPurpose: Lower the risk of developing debilitating lung diseases by reducing respirable dust exposure to mine workers at longwall mining operations through the implementation of improved controls and operating practices. Researcher: Gregory J. Chekan Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP)Purpose: The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (as amended by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977) is intended to protect the health and safety of underground coal miners. The Act authorizes a program for early detection and prevention of coal workers' pneumoconiosis carried out by NIOSH in cooperation with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). These activities are specified in the Federal Regulations, 42 CFR 37, "Specifications for Medical Examinations of Underground Coal Miners" and are administered through the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). Researcher: Anita L. Wolfe Evaluation and Implementation of Diesel Emission ControlsPurpose: Provide the mining industry, labor, and regulatory agencies with scientific, technical, and engineering research on controlling of diesel particulate matter (DPM) and gaseous emissions through laboratory and field evaluations of existing and emerging control technologies. Project will end on September 30, 2009. Researcher: Steven E. Mischler A Cohort Mortality Study With A Nested Case-Control Study Of Lung Cancer and Diesel Exhaust Among Non-Metal MinersPurpose: The retrospective cohort mortality and nested case control study is investigating risk of lung cancer in relation to quantitative measures of exposure to diesel exhaust. In addition, it will determine whether there is evidence of elevated mortality from other causes among miners exposed to diesel exhaust. Researcher: Michael Attfield, Ph.D. Reducing Silica Hazards in the Metal/nonmetal IndustryPurpose: Reduce worker exposure to respirable silica dust in metal/nonmetal operations by developing improved control technologies. Researcher: Andrew B. Cecala Respirable Dust Control at Surface MinesPurpose: Improve the understanding of dust generation principles, evaluate and improve current control technologies, and develop new control technologies to provide a broad-based approach towards reducing silica exposure in surface mining operations. Researcher: W. Randy Reed, Ph.D. Ultrafine Aerosols From Diesel-Powered EquipmentPurpose: Formulate control technologies to reduce miner exposure and determine associated occupational health risks through the identification of nanometer and ultrafine aerosols emitted by diesel-powered equipment. Project will end on September 30, 2009. Researcher: Aleksandar D. Bugarski, Ph.D. Control Technologies and Strategies for Reducing Exposure of Underground Miners to Diesel EmissionsPurpose: Contemporary and emerging control technologies and strategies used to reduce the exposure of workers to diesel particulate matter (DPM) will be evaluated. In addition, a detailed characterization of physical, chemical, and toxicological properties of the diesel aerosols emitted in the mine environment will be completed. Project will start on October 1, 1009. Researcher: Aleksandar D. Bugarski, Ph.D. State-of-the-Art Technology for Controlling Coal and Silica Dust in MiningPurpose: Compile available dust control technologies into “best practices” handbooks to provide the mining industry will a readily available source of information on dust control. Several workshops will also be conducted to facilitate the transfer of this information to industry. Researcher: Jay F. Colinet Strategic Goal 2 - Reduce Noise-induced Hearing LossReduce noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the mining industry.Hearing Loss Prevention: Hearing Protection and Audibility ConsiderationsPurpose: Develop recommendations and strategies for mine operators and mineworkers that will improve the audibility of spoken communication and hazard/warning signals in the mining environment while preventing additional cases of noise-induced hearing loss. This project ends in September 2009. Researcher: Amanda Azman Engineering Noise Controls for Horizontal Vibrating ScreensPurpose: Identify the dominant noise sources on horizontal vibrating screens. In addition, noise controls that focus on the noise generated by the dominant sources will be developed to reduce the sound levels generated by this type of screen by 10 dB(A). This project ends in September 2009. Researcher: David S. Yantek Worker Empowerment Interventions for Hearing Loss PreventionPurpose: Increase the effectiveness of best-practices behavioral hearing loss prevention techniques by empowering employees with prevention knowledge and skills. This will be done by identifying behavioral determinants that impact both organizational workplace processes and the resulting workforce practices that increase the potential for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This project ends in September 2009. Researcher: Dana C. Reinke, Ph.D. Evaluation and Development of Hearing Loss InterventionsPurpose: Improve effectiveness of hearing loss prevention interventions through development, refinement, promotion, and long term evaluation. Hearing loss prevention interventions developed previously and new interventions developed in this project will be evaluated and promoted for industry-wide adoption and impact. This project starts in October 2009. Researcher: Amanda Azman Engineering Noise Controls for Haul Trucks and Load Haul Dumps (LHD’s)Purpose: Develop and evaluate engineering noise controls to eliminate noise overexposures among haul truck and LHD operators. This project starts in October 2009. Researcher: Jeffrey Shawn Peterson Engineering Noise Controls for Longwall Mining SystemsPurpose: Develop and evaluate engineering noise controls to eliminate noise overexposures caused by longwall mining systems. This project starts in October 2009. Researcher: Adam Smith Strategic Goal 3 - Reduce Cumulative InjuriesReduce repetitive/cumulative musculoskeletal injuries in mine workers.Development and Evaluation of an Ergonomics Audit Program for Mitigating Ergonomics Deficiencies in MiningThe purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate audits for three types of operations in the mining sector (bagging operations, maintenance and repair operations, haul truck operation). The audits will primarily focus on injuries due to handling materials and slips, trips and falls, but will include other ergonomics deficiencies. The primary output of the project will be three modular ergonomics audits with established reliability and validity. The goal of providing the audits is that non-ergonomists will be able to perform comprehensive computerized audits of workplace ergonomics that are not overly time-consuming or technical. This project is starting October 1, 2009. Principal Investigator: Patrick Dempsey Development of Kneel-Assist Devices to Reduce the Risk of Knee Injuries while Kneeling and CrawlingThe outcome of this project will be two new kneel-assist devices, a kneepad that spans the shin and a body weight support worn at the ankle. These kneel-assist devices will more effectively reduce the forces, moments, and stresses applied to the knee while in postures associated with low-seam mining compared to currently available kneepads. The increased effectiveness of the newly designed device(s) over traditional kneepads will be verified via laboratory and field testing. Furthermore, this product will be widely available to the industry as our collaborator is one the largest providers of kneepads. This project is starting October 1, 2009. Principal Investigator: Susan Moore Reducing Knee Injuries in Low-seam MiningPurpose: The purpose of this project is to reduce the likelihood of knee injuries in low seam coal miners through a systematic approach that includes the development of guidelines for improved personal protective equipment and interventions. This project is focused on underground mining, musculoskeletal disorders, protective equipment, and interventions. Guidelines for the development of knee pads and interventions that are specific to underground mining will be generated. Additionally, the tools (e.g. finite element models and musculoskeletal models) developed within the framework of this project have a multitude of future applications. The objectives of this study are to reduce the risk of knee injury in low seam coal miners by developing guidelines to improve personal protective equipment and other interventions such as job rotation strategies, work method changes, and equipment design changes. This project is ending September 30, 2009. Principal Investigator: Susan Moore Human Factors Design for Mining Equipment and SuppliesPurpose: The purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of injuries related to the design of mining equipment. Design guidelines, based on ergonomic principles and tested in the laboratory and field, will be developed and provided to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Training will also be developed that will facilitate the transfer of knowledge gained from this project to OEMs and their staff so they can better meet the needs of the mining industry. This project is ending September 30, 2009. Principal Investigator: Patrick Dempsey Strategic Goal 4 - Reduce Traumatic InjuriesReduce traumatic injuries in the mining workplace.Underground Coal, Metal, and Nonmetal Mine Illumination Systems for Improving Miner Visual PerformancePurpose: To improve a miner’s visual performance for the recognition of safety hazards by optimizing the illuminance level, distribution, and spectral content for machine-mounted, auxiliary, and cap lamp illumination systems. This Project will begin October 1, 2009. Principal Investigator: John Sammarco, Ph.D. Reducing Underground Mining Mishaps By Improving Mine Illumination and VisibilityPurpose: To improve mine illumination such that a miner’s visual performance improves to better recognize slip/trip/fall hazards and pinning/striking hazards from moving machinery.This project will be completed September 30, 2009. The specific objectives include:
Principal Investigator: John Sammarco, Ph.D. Interventions to Enhance Continuous Miner Operator SafetyBy taking systems that are currently being introduced into the mine environment and such as RFId tags and proximity warning systems and developing a processor controlled warning system that utilizes and enhances these in place technologies. The project will evaluate the potential and define the problems that need to be over come for a viable system. The project will begin to put in place the background for a longer term research effort focused on operator and machine sensor technologies. Purpose: The purpose of the work in this project is to evaluate and integrate several promising sensor technologies. In addition, researchers will:
Principal Investigator: John Bartels Emergency Communication and TrackingPurpose: NIOSH scientists and engineers will carry out a series of tasks to investigate promising technologies that could be used in underground mine communication systems; conduct tests or prototype systems and to provide data to help guide the contractor’s development efforts; and begin to put in place the infrastructure for a longer term research effort focused on underground communication technologies. In addition, researchers will:
Principal Investigator: Tom Dubaniewicz Mobile Mining Equipment Warning SystemsPurpose: Reduce the number of injuries and deaths of workers who operate or work near lift trucks at mining operations. Researcher: John Owens Safety Enhancements for Off-Road Haulage TrucksPurpose: (1) Develop and test interventions that will decrease accidents involving off-highway dump trucks in surface mining operations and (2) disseminate this information to the mining industry, standard-developing organizations, and MSHA to aid in the implementation of effective interventions. Researcher: Todd Ruff Safety Solutions to Prevent Mining Materials-Handling AccidentsPurpose: Prevent fatalities and injuries associated with materials handling in underground metal and nonmetal mines and in Western surface mining operations. Researcher: Bill Stewart Virtual Reality for Mine Safety TrainingPurpose: Create training modules for the Virtual Reality Mine Safety Training (VRMST) software developed at SRL for evaluation in training programs at operating mines. Researcher: Timothy J. Orr Strategic Goal 5 - Reduce the Risk of Mine Disasters:Reduce the risk of mine disasters (fires, explosions, and inundations); and minimize the risk to, and enhance the effectiveness of, emergency responders.CCER StandardPurpose: Develop certification standards for the approval of self-contained, closed-circuit breathing apparatus used for escape from atmospheres considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health. Researcher: John G. Kovac Control and Monitoring of Methane Levels in Coal MinesPurpose: To enhance both longwall bleeder ventilation efficiency and airflow at the tailgate, leading to improved control of longwall face emissions. This work examines ways to improve monitoring and control of methane liberated in face areas and to identify factors that increase the risk and severity of frictional ignitions. Researcher: Robert B. Krog Reservoir and Neuro-simulation Based Control of MethanePurpose: This project aims to predict methane emissions and optimize the methane control system parameters to eliminate the potential risk factors for explosions. The project will provide assistance to methane control system designers and operators in selecting design parameters by using engineered approaches Researcher: C. Özgen Karacan, Ph.D. Analysis of Belt Air Ventilation in Coal MinesPurpose: This project examines the ventilation aspects of using belt air for ventilation in underground coal mines to reduce leakage from belt entries to intake escapeways and to improve escapeway safety. This project will develop a stopping rating system, assess the risks of using intake belt air, evaluate and compare passive techniques for improved control of the airflow in an escapeway, determine the benefits and disadvantages of using booster fans, and develop guidelines for monitoring airflow and methane gas in belt airways. Researcher: Anu L. Martikainen, Ph.D. Improving Underground Coal Mine Sealing StrategiesPurpose: Eliminate disasters from gas explosions within sealed areas of coal mines through improved engineering of the complete sealing process and better education of the mining workforce about the potential dangers posed by sealed areas. Researcher: R. Karl Zipf, Jr., Ph.D., P.E. Reducing Hazards of Conveyor Belt Fires in Underground Coal MinesPurpose: To reduce the hazards of underground coal mine fires, particularly in conveyor belt entries, by applying recent technological advances in the areas of fire-resistant and fireproof belt materials, belt fire suppression systems, atmospheric monitoring systems, and computer codes for predicting and assessing in real-time the impact of fire on the mine ventilation system. The project will address the major issues concerning fires in underground coal mines; flammability of conveyor belts, detection, suppression systems, fire modeling of conveyor belts, fire modeling of contaminant spread, fire risk assessment, and training and maintenance. Researcher: James H. Rowland Reducing Spontaneous Combustion Fire Hazards for Western Coal MinesPurpose: To develop new methods to prevent, detect, control and suppress the spontaneous heating for western coal mines. Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling will be used to simulate spontaneous heating in longwall gob areas and to develop and evaluate spontaneous combustion control methods, including optimization of the ventilation system, selection of appropriate face advance rates, and techniques for early detection of spontaneous heating. CFD simulations will also be conducted to develop nitrogen injection strategies to prevent/suppress spontaneous heating in longwall gob areas. Researcher: Liming Yuan Design Guidelines for Mine Ventilation StoppingsPurpose: To develop engineering guidelines for underground mine ventilation stoppings that will help to ensure the compatibility of these structures with in-service load conditions to prevent premature failures that can lead to disastrous conditions. A secondary objective is to develop light-weight materials into satisfactory construction designs to reduce the potential of material handling injuries. Researcher: Thomas M. Barczak, Ph.D. Lake Lynn LaboratoryPurpose: Provide a modern, full-scale realistic laboratory for underground and surface research that significantly contributes to the enhancement of workplace safety and health for miners and other workers. Researcher: Eric S. Weiss Long Term Field Evaluation (LTFE)Purpose: Monitor the reliability of Self-Contained Self-Rescuers (SCSRs) deployed in U.S. underground coal mines. Researcher: Nicholas Kyriazi Mine Rescue and ResponsePurpose: Improve the state of readiness for emergency responders and increase the chances of survival for personnel escaping from underground emergencies. Researcher: Danrick Alexander, Ph.D. Prevention and Mitigation of Gas/Dust ExplosionsPurpose: Reduce hazards in mining through basic and applied research on the prevention and mitigation of gas and dust explosions and the education of mining personnel on explosion hazard recognition and prevention. Researcher: Marcia L. Harris Remote Methods for Addressing Coal Mine FiresPurpose: Provide, through technology testing and improvement, more reliable remote mine fire suppression technology and to directly transfer these improvements to the coal mining industry. Researcher: Alex C. Smith SCSR Training ModulesPurpose: Enhance SCSR care, maintenance, and inspection protocol so that miners keep SCSRs in good condition and all units that fail inspections are removed from service. Researcher: Timothy R. Rehak Strategic Goal 6 - Reduce Ground Control Injuries:Reduce ground failure fatalities and injuries in the mining industry.Development and Evaluation of Innovative Roof Support TechnologiesPurpose: Facilitate the development of new roof support technologies through industry partnerships with various support manufacturers, and to ensure that these new support technologies meet basic safety standards before they are commercialized for use in underground mines. Researcher: Thomas M. Barczak, Ph.D. Fragmentation Methods and Ground Control SafetyPurpose: Investigate the complex relationships between fragmentation, rock scaling, ground support, and safety in mines that use drilling and blasting as the primary excavation method. Researcher: Steve Signer Fundamental Studies of Factors Responsible for Falls of GroundPurpose: Design, test, and demonstrate the potential of monitoring technologies to warn of roof fall occurrences. Researcher: Anthony T. Iannacchione, Ph.D. Ground Stability Through Advanced Mine DesignPurpose: Reduce injuries and fatalities from ground falls in underground coal mines by developing state-of-the-art design tools for three related ground control problem areas: 1) deep cover coal pillar recovery, 2) high horizontal stress control and 3) multiple-seam mining. Researcher: Karl Zipf, Jr., Ph.D. Identification and Control of Rock Burst HazardsPurpose: Reduce ground failure and injuries associated with rock bursts (earthquakes) in deep hard-rock mines. Researcher: Ted Williams Reduce Groundfall Hazards in NevadaPurpose: Reduce groundfall injuries in Nevada underground mines excavated in weak rock masses. Develop new mining techniques using proven mine design techniques and adapting them to underground mines in weak rock. Researcher: Lewis A Martin Roof Fall Evaluation and Mediation in Weak RocksPurpose: Reduce the number of accidents and fatalities caused by mining in weak ground by developing accurate knowledge of how roof supports perform in weak rock, how fracturing is induced by excavation in weak rock, and how best to support adequately such ground or arrest the fracturing mechanism. Researcher: Mark K. Larson Slope Stability Hazards RecognitionPurpose: Reduce injuries and fatalities associated with slope failures in surface mines and falls of ground in large underground openings. Researcher: Ed McHugh Stability Assessment with Seismic MonitoringPurpose: Reduce hazards from rock mass instabilities in the underground mining workplace through (1) hazard mitigation studies that make use of seismic monitoring tools and (2) knowledge and technology transfer to industry. Researcher: Peter Swanson, Ph.D. Strategic Goal 7 - Surveillance and Emerging IssuesDetermine the impact of changing mining conditions, new and emerging technologies, and the changing patterns of work on worker health and safety.Health Communications ProgramPurpose: Provide health communications services and guidance to SRL and PRL researchers to facilitate the continuous exchange of information and to translate research results to the widest range of customers. Researcher: Elaine T. Cullen, Ph.D. Surveillance: National Survey of the Mining PopulationPurpose: Improve the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) surveillance capability related to the occupational risks in mining by conducting a national survey of mines and mine employees. Researcher: Linda J. McWilliams Analytic, Surveillance & Communication Support - ?Human Factors Design for Mine Equipment and Supplies - ?Analysis of Belt Air Ventilation in Coal Mines - ? Page last updated: July 20, 2009
Page last reviewed: May 23, 2011 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of Mine Safety and Health Research |
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NIOSH Program:Mining |
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