NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research

The Ergonomics Program conducts laboratory, field, and simulation research to develop interventions and methods to reduce repetitive and cumulative musculoskeletal injuries. Our goal is to ensure that job tasks, tools, equipment and work places fit worker capabilities.

Laboratory research focuses on determining the physical demands and capabilities of workers in the mining environment, while field research examines methods of intervention and job redesign to reduce injury risk. Simulation research assists by creating models that can assess job demands under situations that may be difficult to reproduce in a lab or field setting. We work extensively with industry cooperators to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders in the mining industry. Reducing the frequency and severity of disabling injuries to mine workers increases the odds that miners live a long, healthy, and safe life and lays the foundation for a safety culture that can benefit future generations of mine workers.