More than 300 people make up the NIOSH mine safety and health research staff. This workforce is a unique combination of personnel, representing a wide range of disciplines. These include mining, civil, mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineering, audiology, epidemiology, statistics, industrial hygiene, chemistry, computer science, physics, geology, physiology, psychology, and sociology.

The scientists representing these professional disciplines possess core competencies in diesel monitoring and control, dust monitoring and control, electrical safety, mine emergency response, ergonomics, explosives, fire fighting and prevention, ground control, hearing loss prevention, engineering noise controls, mine ventilation, surveillance, and training.