One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research

esearch had previously been funded at levels between $1 million to $3 million during the 1960s.
The increased health and safety research required increased staffing at the four mining centers in
addition to the initiation of a large program of research contracts. In 1970, 44 contracts and
grants were awarded totaling $7.9 million, and 27 of these were awarded to universities.
Despite the new law, the coal mining safety record for 1970 did not improve immediately. Two
hundred fifty-five miners were killed in coal mines in 1970—52 more fatalities than in 1969.
Along with the 1969 Coal Act, in that same year the Bureau had contracted with the National
Academy of Engineering to study ways to increase the probability of survival for miners in mine
disasters. The report from the Academy recommended that the Bureau:
• Develop a portable self-contained escape breathing apparatus to provide oxygen for one
hour.
• Investigate the feasibility of portable and central shelters with life support for 15 men for
15 days.
• Develop a communication system capable of transmitting coded messages to the surface.
• Develop a seismic system to locate a trapped miner who might be pounding on the mine
roof.
• Acquire drilling rigs capable of drilling to 2,500 feet to probe for trapped miners and to
provide for rescue [DOI 1970].
Finally, the 1969 Coal Act authorized the creation of two research advisory committees for mine
health and safety. The Coal Mine Health Research Advisory Committee was created under the
Department of HEW to advise the Secretary of HEW in the research needs related to coal miner
health. In parallel, a Coal Mine Safety Research Advisory Committee was organized to advise
the Secretary of the Interior on the research needs related to coal mine safety. Most members of
both advisory committees were from the private sector, including academic researchers and
members representing labor interests. The Bureau also had a representative on the Coal Mine
Health Research Advisory Committee and HEW had an appointee on the Coal Mine Safety
Research Advisory Committee.
5.2 Establishment of NIOSH
One year after the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, Congress extended broad
safety and health protection to most other workers by passing the Occupational Safety and
Health Act on December 29, 1970 (OSH Act). This Act created both the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). OSHA, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, is responsible for
developing and enforcing workplace safety and health regulations. NIOSH was authorized by
the OSH Act to “conduct . . . research, experiments, and demonstrations relating to occupational
safety and health” and to develop “innovative methods, techniques, and approaches for dealing
with [those] problems” (Public Law 91-596, 84 STAT. 1590, 91st Congress, S.2193, December
29, 1970). NIOSH was authorized to conduct research, training, and education related to worker
health and safety; perform on-site investigations to investigate hazards in the workplace;
recommend occupational health and safety standards; and fund research by other agencies or
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