ABSTRACT
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory is currently involved in various research projects related to worker health and safety in underground metal/ nonmetal mines. A primary area of research involves health issues in underground stone mines, a growing segment of the aggregates industry. Methods for reducing worker exposure to noise, silica dust, and diesel particulate matter (DPM) are being addressed through various research programs. One engineering control being addressed is the improvement in mine air quality by developing mine-wide ventilation techniques as a means to reduce worker exposure to silica dust and DPM.
