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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: Coexistence and Safety of Wireless Systems in Mining
Keywords: Regulations Wireless node communications systems
Principal Investigator
Ronald Jacksha -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2022Objective
Research is needed to determine if existing regulations, standards, or guidelines developed for nonmining industrial, commercial, and medical sectors are adequate to ensure coexistence and safety of wireless systems in the mining sector or if mining-specific regulations, standards, or guidelines need to be developed.Topic Areas
Electrical Safety
Programmable Electronic Systems
Research Summary

Approach
The ability of wireless systems—e.g., voice communication, proximity detection, tele-remote operation, telemetry, etc.—to function satisfactorily (i.e., coexist) in the presence of other wireless systems is critical to the safety and health of mine workers. The failure of wireless systems to coexist could result in the delay, corruption, or outright loss of critical data, voice, or video information, potentially posing risks to miner safety. However, no known mining-sector-specific regulations, standards, or guidelines exist to ensure the safe coexistence of wireless systems.
In collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NIOSH researchers will conduct an extensive review of existing coexistence standards and guidelines as well as a review of wireless systems that are being adopted or could be adopted by the mining industry. From this information, NIST and NIOSH researchers will develop and disseminate specific guidelines and recommendations on identifying key performance metrics to evaluate wireless systems’ ability to coexist and will propose mining-sector-specific methodologies and protocols to test for wireless system coexistence. NIOSH researchers will also develop and disseminate guidelines and recommendations for mine owner/operators to develop and maintain wireless system management plans for mine sites.
Milestones and Accomplishments
Description
Audience
YearProduce a publication outlining the applicability of 47 CFR Part 15 to underground mines
Wireless technology innovators, mine owner/operators
2024Produce a publication outlining guidelines on the development and maintenance of wireless system management plans for mine sites
Wireless technology innovators, mine owner/operators
2025Produce a publication outlining identified key performance indicators required to evaluate wireless systems’ ability to coexist
Wireless technology innovators, mine owner/operators
2025Produce a publication proposing mining-sector-specific methodologies and protocols to test for wireless system coexistence
Wireless technology innovators, mine owner/operators
2026Planned Impacts and Outcomes
Wireless system technology and equipment manufacturers will adopt NIOSH guidelines and recommendations on identifying key performance metrics to evaluate wireless systems’ ability to coexist.
Wireless system technology and equipment manufacturers will adopt NIOSH-recommended methodologies and protocols to test for coexistence.
Mine owner/operators will adopt NIOSH guidelines and recommendations to develop and implement wireless system management for surface and underground operations.


See Also
Above-the-Earth Field Contours for a Dipole Buried in a Homogeneous Half-Space
The Challenge of Enforcing Safety Rules in Remote Hazardous Work Areas
Mine Communications Engineering and Compatibility Guidelines
Proceedings of Thru-The-Earth Electromagnetics Workshop
Propagation of EM Signals in Underground Mines
Technology News 497 - "You Are My Sunshine": A New Video Release From NIOSH on the Sunshine Mine Fire
Through-The-Earth Wireless Real-Time Two-Way Voice Communications
Underground Coal Mining Disasters and Fatalities: United States, 1900-2006
Underground Mine Communications
Wireless Mesh Mine Communication System
Page last reviewed: October 17, 2023
Page last updated: October 17, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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