NIOSH Program of Mining Research. A Summary of Mining Research in Progress, 1998

摘要

The Program of Mime Safety and Health Research described in this documentreflects the continuing commitment of the Spokane and Pittsburgh Research Laboratories to focus on the most important areas where research can make a difference reducing risk and improving safety and health for miners. It is the first program of work conducted since Congress mandated closure of the former U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) in the Department of the Interior and supported integration of the health and safety research function of the former USBM into the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The two laboratories worked to evolve coordinated programs of safety and health research, each with a special focus. The work of the Spokane Research Laboratory is directed toward issues of special importance to the Western mining industry, particularly those safety hazards found in metal/nonmetal mining and surface mining. The work of the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory will continue to focus on Eastern mining, particularly underground coal mining. Traditional areas of expertise for understanding and preventing fires and explosions and for controlling the hazards of dust and noise will continue to reside in Pittsburgh.