|
The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL)
occupies 180 acres and serves as one of two focal points for Federal
mine safety and health research. The research program is based on surveillance
data and stakeholder input and addresses most mining sectors, with emphasis
on the safety and health hazards of mining and disaster prevention. Programmatic
areas include dust (coal and silica) monitoring and control, mine ventilation,
hearing loss prevention and engineering noise controls, diesel particulate
monitoring and control, emergency response and rescue, firefighting and
prevention, training research, ergonomics and machine safety, mine ground
control, electrical safety, explosives safety, surveillance, and technology
transfer. Major programs include:
- Health Hazards
PRL is conducting research on health hazards because the most significant
dangers in the mining industry include airborne contaminants such
as coal dust, silica dust and diesel particulates, and excessive
exposure to noise levels. PRL conducts research on the development
of control technologies and strategies for airborne contaminants
including improved measurement systems, laboratory and field studies
to design, assess and demonstrate airborne hazard reduction systems.
Similar work is being done regarding noise-induced hearing loss in
miners.
- Safety Hazards
While the safety record of the mining industry has improved dramatically,
this occupation remains one of the more hazardous due to the nature
of the work environment. Poor visibility, restricted work space,
large equipment, significant material handling tasks, and unstable
rock units all contribute to the unique hazards found in mining
operations. Multi-disciplinary research is conducted to provides
the technical and scientific basis for improvements in conditions,
work systems and technologies.
- Disaster Prevention
Due to the unique nature of underground mining operations the potential
exists for explosive gas releases, mine fires and massive roof
failures. Research is ongoing for improved understanding of the
basic phenomena of mine explosions, designing explosion and fire
suppression strategies, and developing approaches for minimizing
or preventing massive rock failures. Research experiments are conducted
in unique laboratories including the Lake Lynn Laboratory and the
Mine Roof Simulator, as well as field studies in operating mines.
|
|
Intramural Programs by Divisions
|
|