One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research

4.3.7 Spokane Mining Research Laboratory, Spokane, WA 37
4.4 Legislation and USBM Accomplishments of the 1960s 37
5. Expansion and Change: 1969-1996 39
5.1 The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 39
5.2 Establishment of NIOSH 41
5.3 Dismemberment of the USBM 43
5.3.1 Transfer of USBM Research Labs to ERDA 46
5.3.2 Coal Advanced Mining Technology Program 46
5.4 Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 47
5.5 USMB Research Centers after 1979 Reorganization 49
5.5.1 Pittsburgh Research Center 49
5.5.2 Twin Cities Research Center 50
5.5.3 Spokane Research Center 51
5.5.4 Denver Research Center 52
5.5.5 Mineral Institutes 52
5.6 USBM Accomplishments in Mining Research 53
5.6.1 Respirable Dust 53
5.6.2 Ground Control 54
5.6.3 Disaster Prevention 56
5.6.4 Illumination 57
5.7 R&D 100 awards and the USBM 58
5.8 Decline and Dissolution of the USBM 58
6. Consolidation and New Beginning: 1996-2010 61
6.1 Mining Research under NIOSH 61
6.2 NIOSH Mining-Related Research Accomplishments 63
6.2.1 Permissible Exposure Limit/Recommended Exposure Limit
for Coal Mine Dust 63
6.2.2 Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) 63
6.2.3 Personal Dust Monitor (PDM) 64
6.2.4 Improved Regulations for Dust Control Associated with Highwall
Drilling at Surface Coal Mines 65
6.2.5 Diesel Particulate Regulations 66
6.2.6 Epidemiologic Studies of the Vermiculite Mine at Libby, MT 67
6.2.7 Reducing Noise on Mining Machines 68
6.2.8 Ground Control 70
6.2.9 Coal Mine Roof Rating System 70
6.2.10 Guidelines for Coal Pillar Recovery 71
6.2.11 Support Technology Optimization Program (STOP)
Design Software 71
6.3 Advancements in Mine Fires and Explosions Research 72
6.3.1 Coal Dust Explosibility Meter 72
6.3.2 Improving Underground Coal Mine Sealing Strategies 73
6.3.3 Refuge Chambers 73
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