13
are crucial to address the ever-evolving challenges in the
mining industry.
CONCLUSIONS
NIOSH plays a pivotal role in advancing ground control
engineering through field studies at collaborating mines.
While these studies are essential, they expose researchers to
potential risks inherent in the mining environment. This
paper has highlighted the best practices adopted by NIOSH
to ensure the safety of its employees during fieldwork. These
practices encompass comprehensive training, awareness of
general and task-specific hazards, and the implementation
of safety measures during instrumentation installation.
The insights presented here are invaluable not only
for NIOSH but also for industry partners, including
mine operators, consultants, and academic researchers.
Collaboration between mine operators and researchers is
emphasized, underscoring the collective responsibility of
ensuring a safe working environment. Researchers work-
ing alongside operators and other mine personnel must be
proactive when combating hazards that are and have the
potential to be present.
Safety is an ever-evolving process, and striving to con-
tinually improve the safety of research activities is para-
mount. By adhering to these best practices, we can enhance
the safety of researchers and mine employees alike, foster-
ing a culture of safety and diligence in the field of ground
control engineering.
DISCLAIMER
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of
the authors and do not necessarily represent the official
position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mention of any company or product does not constitute
endorsement by NIOSH.
REFERENCES
California DIR (2007). Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual
Material Handling. Retrieved from www.dir.ca.gov/
dosh/dosh_publications/mmh.pdf.
Klemetti, T.M., Van Dyke, M.A., Compton, C.S., Tulu,
I.B., Tuncay,D., and Wickline, J. (2019). Longwall
Gateroad Yield Pillar Response and Model Verification
– A Case Study. In: Proceedings of the 53rd U.S. Rock
Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, New York City,
New York, June 2019.
Klemetti, T.M., Van Dyke, M.A., and Tulu, I.B. (2018).
Deep Cover Bleeder Entry Performance and Support
Loading: A Case Study. International Journal of Mining
Science and Technology, 28(1), 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.
ijmst.2017.12.001.
McElhinney, M., Compton, C., Mazzella, M., Minoski,
T., Sears, M., Morris, M., and Bright, J. (2023).
Field Instrumentation and Data Analysis of Ground
Movement and Pillar Performance at the Maple Eagle
Mine in Southern West Virginia. In Proceedings of the
42nd International Conference on Ground Control in
Mining. Canonsburg, PA.
Minoski, T., McElhinney, D., Compton, C., and Sears,
M.M. (2020). Measurement and Analysis of Ground
Movement and Load Redistribution at a Longwall
Mine in Central Utah. In: Proceedings of the 39th
International Conference on Ground Control in Mining.
Cannonsburg, PA (virtual).
Minoski, T., McElhinney, M., Mazzella, M., Compton, C.,
and Sears, M. (2024). Ground Control Monitoring:
A Comprehensive Guide for Mine Operators on
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Currently Used
by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). In Society for Mining, Metallurgy,
and Exploration, Inc. Preprint. Phoenix, AZ.
MSHA (2013). Focus On Roof Bolter Safety: “Hands-
off Drilling and Bolting” -Preventive Roof/Rib
Outreach Program. Retrieved from arlweb.msha.gov
/S &H I N F O /Pro p /P RO P 2 0 1 3 /P RO P %2 0
PublicationTopic%202.pdf. Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
NIOSH (2022). Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls in
Mining. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining
/content/STFprevention.html. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA (2002). Job Hazard Analysis (OSHA 3071).
Retrieved from www.osha.gov/sites/default/files
/publications/osha3071.pdf. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration.
Rashed, G., Mohamed, K., and Kimutis, R. (2021). A Coal
Rib Monitoring Study in a Room-and-Pillar Retreat
Mine. International Journal of Mining Science and
Technology, 31(1). www.sciencedirect.com/science
/article/pii/ S2095268620309460.
Sammarco, J.J., Podlesny, A., Rubinstein, E.N., and
Demich, B. (2016). An Analysis of Roof Bolter
Fatalities and Injuries in U.S. Mining. In: Transactions
of Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration,
Inc, 340(1), 11–20. doi.org/10.19150/trans.7322
Sears M., Van Dyke M., Klemetti T., Su W.H, Tulu I.B.
(2018). The Effect of Floor Strength and Horizontal
Stress Orientation on Floor Heave in a Deep U.S.
Longwall Mine. In: Proceedings of the 52nd U.S.
are crucial to address the ever-evolving challenges in the
mining industry.
CONCLUSIONS
NIOSH plays a pivotal role in advancing ground control
engineering through field studies at collaborating mines.
While these studies are essential, they expose researchers to
potential risks inherent in the mining environment. This
paper has highlighted the best practices adopted by NIOSH
to ensure the safety of its employees during fieldwork. These
practices encompass comprehensive training, awareness of
general and task-specific hazards, and the implementation
of safety measures during instrumentation installation.
The insights presented here are invaluable not only
for NIOSH but also for industry partners, including
mine operators, consultants, and academic researchers.
Collaboration between mine operators and researchers is
emphasized, underscoring the collective responsibility of
ensuring a safe working environment. Researchers work-
ing alongside operators and other mine personnel must be
proactive when combating hazards that are and have the
potential to be present.
Safety is an ever-evolving process, and striving to con-
tinually improve the safety of research activities is para-
mount. By adhering to these best practices, we can enhance
the safety of researchers and mine employees alike, foster-
ing a culture of safety and diligence in the field of ground
control engineering.
DISCLAIMER
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of
the authors and do not necessarily represent the official
position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mention of any company or product does not constitute
endorsement by NIOSH.
REFERENCES
California DIR (2007). Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual
Material Handling. Retrieved from www.dir.ca.gov/
dosh/dosh_publications/mmh.pdf.
Klemetti, T.M., Van Dyke, M.A., Compton, C.S., Tulu,
I.B., Tuncay,D., and Wickline, J. (2019). Longwall
Gateroad Yield Pillar Response and Model Verification
– A Case Study. In: Proceedings of the 53rd U.S. Rock
Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, New York City,
New York, June 2019.
Klemetti, T.M., Van Dyke, M.A., and Tulu, I.B. (2018).
Deep Cover Bleeder Entry Performance and Support
Loading: A Case Study. International Journal of Mining
Science and Technology, 28(1), 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.
ijmst.2017.12.001.
McElhinney, M., Compton, C., Mazzella, M., Minoski,
T., Sears, M., Morris, M., and Bright, J. (2023).
Field Instrumentation and Data Analysis of Ground
Movement and Pillar Performance at the Maple Eagle
Mine in Southern West Virginia. In Proceedings of the
42nd International Conference on Ground Control in
Mining. Canonsburg, PA.
Minoski, T., McElhinney, D., Compton, C., and Sears,
M.M. (2020). Measurement and Analysis of Ground
Movement and Load Redistribution at a Longwall
Mine in Central Utah. In: Proceedings of the 39th
International Conference on Ground Control in Mining.
Cannonsburg, PA (virtual).
Minoski, T., McElhinney, M., Mazzella, M., Compton, C.,
and Sears, M. (2024). Ground Control Monitoring:
A Comprehensive Guide for Mine Operators on
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Currently Used
by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH). In Society for Mining, Metallurgy,
and Exploration, Inc. Preprint. Phoenix, AZ.
MSHA (2013). Focus On Roof Bolter Safety: “Hands-
off Drilling and Bolting” -Preventive Roof/Rib
Outreach Program. Retrieved from arlweb.msha.gov
/S &H I N F O /Pro p /P RO P 2 0 1 3 /P RO P %2 0
PublicationTopic%202.pdf. Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
NIOSH (2022). Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls in
Mining. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining
/content/STFprevention.html. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA (2002). Job Hazard Analysis (OSHA 3071).
Retrieved from www.osha.gov/sites/default/files
/publications/osha3071.pdf. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration.
Rashed, G., Mohamed, K., and Kimutis, R. (2021). A Coal
Rib Monitoring Study in a Room-and-Pillar Retreat
Mine. International Journal of Mining Science and
Technology, 31(1). www.sciencedirect.com/science
/article/pii/ S2095268620309460.
Sammarco, J.J., Podlesny, A., Rubinstein, E.N., and
Demich, B. (2016). An Analysis of Roof Bolter
Fatalities and Injuries in U.S. Mining. In: Transactions
of Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration,
Inc, 340(1), 11–20. doi.org/10.19150/trans.7322
Sears M., Van Dyke M., Klemetti T., Su W.H, Tulu I.B.
(2018). The Effect of Floor Strength and Horizontal
Stress Orientation on Floor Heave in a Deep U.S.
Longwall Mine. In: Proceedings of the 52nd U.S.