Mining Safety and Health Research at NIOSH Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2007) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-14
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
research programs, the National Academies convened a committee of experts to review the NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research Program (Mining Program) to evaluate the relevance of its work to improvements in occupational safety and health and the impact of NIOSH research in reducing workplace illnesses and injuries.
|
From page 2... ...
The committee concludes the NIOSH Mining Program makes essential contributions to the enhancement of health and safety in the mining indus try. The ability of the program to expand its research and transfer actiities in ways recommended in this report, howeer, is critically dependent on the aailability of funding.
|
From page 3... ...
The National Academies organized an ad hoc committee to evaluate the Mining Program. The Committee to Review the NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research Program reviewed the program to evaluate the relevance and impact of its research on workplace health and safety, as well as to identify significant emerging health and safety issues in the mining workplace.
|
From page 4... ...
ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH RELEvANCE AND IMPACT There has been a marked decrease in disasters, injuries, illnesses, and occupa tional diseases in the mining industry over the last several decades. This decrease is the result of many efforts including those of mine managers and workers, labor organizations, federal and state enforcement agencies, equipment manufacturers
|
From page 5... ...
The program's mission, according to the Mining Program Briefing Book, is to "eliminate occupational diseases, injuries and fatalities from the mining workplace." Strategic and intermediate goals and performance measures have been established for each priority area. The Mining Program mission cannot be accomplished solely through what NIOSH terms "a focused program of research and prevention." Workplace improvements are dependent on the ability to transfer research results into practice, but the Mining Program has no power to require or enforce implementation of its recommendations.
|
From page 6... ...
However, the Mining Program should take a more proac tive approach to identifying and controlling hazards, including those that arise from changing mining conditions and technologies, thus eliminating the associ ated potential illnesses and injuries. Using surveillance data in combination with expanded external input to identify key priorities would help the Mining Program develop a more proactive approach to hazard identification and control.
|
From page 7... ...
The committee considers the collection of surveillance data of utmost importance in monitoring mine worker health and safety conditions and in determining the effectiveness of Mining Program activities. An improved surveillance system would allow the Mining Program to evaluate intervention effectiveness, which should be incorporated into the strategic goals of all its relevant research areas.
|
From page 8... ...
Technology transfer activities should be sharpened with new programs and additional resources. New research in technology transfer is needed to determine the most effective ways to improve training procedures and practices and to transfer knowledge to achieve implementation and sustainability.
|
From page 9... ...
NIOSH has developed a mobile hearing loss detection lab that can be transported to any worksite to conduct hearing clinics for up to four persons at a time. Trained technical personnel administer hearing loss tests and provide feedback on results.
|
From page 10... ...
No data exist to document impact on worker health and safety, but several outputs, such as a low-height shuttle car seat design, a more er gonomically designed truck seat, and improved dragline work stations, have been incorporated in the workplace. The Mining Program has also developed a partner ship with an operating surface coal mine to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
|
From page 11... ...
EMERgINg ISSUES To address the third part of its charge, the committee considered emerging issues that may affect future mine worker health and safety. The Mining Program should stay aware of pertinent current and emerging research, including research being done internationally, and be prepared to act on potential health and safety issues.
|
From page 12... ...
The Mining Program should seriously attend to workforce replacement issues expected within its own organization in the short term to ensure a supply of capable researchers as its older researchers retire. The mining industry has long been dealing with problems arising from gas, dust, heat, humidity, ground pressures, machinery, and electricity.
|
From page 13... ...
Strategic Goals and Project Selection Establish more challenging, innovative goals and attendant objectives. Take a more proactive approach to identifying and controlling hazards.
|
From page 14... ...
mInIng safety H e a lt H R e s e a R c H nIosH and at 4 BOX S-2 Continued Emerging Issues Stay aware of pertinent current and emerging research, including international research, and be prepared to act on potential health and safety issues. Be prepared to deal with issues associated with increased remote control and automated equipment and systems.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.