NIOSH is the U.S. federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to

prevent worker injury and illness. NIOSH was established under the Occupational Safety

and Health Act of 1970. It is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information

PITTSBURGH MINING RESEARCH DIVISION

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) is part 

of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (NIOSH). PMRD conducts research to reduce a wide 

variety of occupational safety and health hazards. PMRD 

works to eliminate mining fatalities, injuries, and illnesses 

across all mining sectors. PMRD partners with labor, mining 

associations, equipment manufacturers, mine operators, 

and other government agencies to collect data, develop and 

test software, create and review new technologies, and offer 

solutions to workplace challenges.

PMRD testing facilities—some of them unique in the world—

include specialized labs, full-scale galleries, and sophisticated 

technical instrumentation:

• The Safety Research and Experimental Coal Mines 

provide real mine environments for health and safety 

studies.

• The Hemi-Anechoic Chamber is used to pinpoint 

hazardous noise on mining machines.

• The Virtual Immersion and Simulation Laboratory creates 

safe simulations of hazardous mining situations.

• The Mine Illumination Laboratory tests improved 

lighting technologies.

Technology & Product Highlights

ErgoMine 2.0: A mobile app for mining-specific 

workplace audits that provides recommendations 

to improve safety conditions at the user’s worksite.

Helmet-CAM and EVADE 2.3 Software: 

A wearable video recording system 

designed for use with other personal 

monitoring devices for hazardous 

exposures. EVADE presents HelmetCAM video footage and the exposure 

data to help miners determine work 

areas or activities that coincide with high exposures. 

EXAMiner: Software to practice and 

improve hazard recognition skills 

by performing virtual workplace 

examinations. This interactive PC-based 

application can be used with over 

30 preloaded images, or trainers can 

upload photos taken at their own mines.

Air Quantity Estimator (AQE) Beta: Software for estimating 

the air quantity needed to dilute diesel particulate matter 

(DPM) in underground large-opening mines. It allows users 

to pinpoint vehicles that are high DPM contributors and 

make “what if” scenarios by varying the input parameters to 

achieve the most efficient and practical ventilation system. 

Field Analysis of Silica Tool (FAST): Software designed for 

field-based respirable crystalline silica (RCS) monitoring. 

FAST processes data from a field sampling instrument and 

provides results the same or next day. This allows for timely 

action to reduce RCS exposures.

Diesel Particulate Matter Monitor: 

A wearable real-time monitor that helps 

mines identify sources of exposure, set 

up administrative controls, evaluate 

enclosed cabs, and implement control 

technologies.

Continuous Personal Dust Monitor: A wearable device that 

monitors coal mine dust to continuously provide accurate 

exposure data—a federal dust rule requirement.

Coal Dust Explosibility Meter: 

A handheld device that quickly assesses 

the explosibility of rock and coal dust 

mixtures.

LED Lighting for Roof Bolting Machines: Lights that 

provide floor hazard illumination 23 times better than 

conventional lighting systems. The world’s leading roof 

bolting machine manufacturer commercialized the system.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining

(412) 386-6601
To receive NIOSH documents or more information about occupational safety and health topics, please contact NIOSH:

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) TTY: 1–888–232–6348 

CDC INFO: www.cdc.gov/info or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/NIOSH

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews.

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018146revised062022

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-146 (revised 06/2022)

June 2022 

OUR SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AREAS

Respirable Dust 

Monitoring and Control

Hearing Loss

Prevention

Ground Control

Ergonomics and 

Musculoskeletal Disorder 

Prevention

Machine Safety Fire and Explosion 

Prevention

Refuge Alternatives and 

Emergency Response

Education and Training

OUR STAFF

PMRD has 156 full time positions and has offices and labs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Staff have experience in the following areas:

Engineering: Mining Engineers | Mechanical Engineers | Electrical Engineers | Computer Engineers

Human Factors and Workplace Health: Industrial Hygienists | Audiologists | Behavioral Scientists | Computer Scientists

Physical Science: Physical Scientists | Chemists | Geologists | Physicists

Epidemiology and Surveillance: Epidemiologists | Statisticians | Public Health Advisors

Health Communication and Dissemination: Health Communication Specialists | Visual Information Specialists | 

Computer Engineers | IT Specialists