In a testament to the vitality of worker safety, a new chapter in industrial health and safety research opens in the small hamlet of Mace, West Virginia. An expansive 465-acre tract nestled between the historic counties of Randolph and Pocahontas has been claimed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heralding the birthplace of a state-of-the-art facility poised to pioneer the path of miner safety and health.
Pledged as the new home of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Underground Mine Safety and Health Research Laboratory, the site acquisition sends a clear and powerful message to the industry and its workers.
“NIOSH’s Mining Program endeavors to cast out the shadow of mining fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through cutting-edge research and the introduction of impactful solutions,” shared NIOSH Director John Howard. This vision is reflected in the impressive plans for the facility, which will tackle critical subjects ranging from mine explosion studies to refuge alternatives, fire suppression, and a myriad of pressing issues centered on mine worker safety and health.
The baton passed from blueprint to reality in March 2023, marking the initiation of planning, design, and construction phases of this innovative underground mine safety research hub. With a projected completion timeline of approximately three years, the facility promises to be a beacon of safety, safeguarding the livelihoods of miners and redefining standards in the industry.
Strategically located off U.S. Route 219, the new site is positioned to supplant the services of the former Lake Lynn Experimental Mine in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. With this transition, research projects that had been previously suspended or redirected find a new home and renewed momentum.
Josh Bornstein, Director of CDC’s Office of Safety, Security, and Asset Management, acknowledged the transformative impact of the facility: “The construction of this new facility not only supports CDC’s goals to modernize existing lab spaces, but also underlines our commitment to shaping safer and healthier work environments for every working American.”
NIOSH’s mandate is clear and ambitious. Their role to strategize, direct, and synchronize a national program dedicated to improving occupational safety and health standards is a driving force behind the establishment of the new research laboratory. With this site acquisition, they’re renewing their promise to work tirelessly towards ensuring safer working conditions for all.
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