Andrea
Brickey, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mining and
Management, has been appointed to a national advisory committee for mine
safety.
RAPID
CITY, SD (Feb. 18, 2021) — South Dakota Mines associate professor Andrea Brickey, Ph.D., has been appointed to the Mine Safety
and Health Research Advisory Committee, a group of mining experts advising the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, the director of the Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health.
Brickey,
who is an associate professor in the Department of Mining Engineering and Management, will serve a three-year term alongside
industry representatives, union representatives and other academics. The
committee is tasked with providing advice on the conduct of mine safety
research and evaluating the methods, relevancy and results of supported
research activities. Some of the primary focus areas for mine safety and health
research include reducing exposure to respirable dust, improved mine
ventilation systems and reducing equipment-related accidents.
“The
mining industry has made great strides in reducing accidents and health-related
illnesses, but there is still work to be done. The industry’s goal is zero harm
to miners. I am honored to serve on this committee to help advise federal
agencies on safety and health research and continue moving our industry towards
achieving zero harm,” she says.
Health
and safety issues are already on Brickey’s radar – she’s currently one year
into a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health in collaboration with Colorado School of Mines. The
grant is focused on incorporating the safety and health needs of miners into the
planning and operation of underground mines. “We’re developing ways to
integrate ventilation into the mine planning process to reduce exposure to diesel
particulate matter and respirable dust.
Our students are using machine learning techniques to predict these
contaminants associated with various mining activities. The goal of this research
is to create a more holistic mine-planning process that reduces miners’
exposure to safety and health hazards. Right now, dust and diesel particulate
matter are addressed during mine operations.” she says. “We want to have it be
an integral part of the planning process before it can become an operational
challenge.” Earlier implementation of these safety considerations will improve
the work environment for miners, while also improving efficiencies in the
industry.
The
end result will be a “safer mine” and a healthier workforce, she says.