NIOSH Announces 2024 Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award
October 7, 2024
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is seeking nominations for its annual Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award, a program that honors exceptional efforts to improve mine worker safety and health. The awards recognize companies and mines that have gone above and beyond mandatory safety requirements by applying innovative technologies and processes.
Award Overview
The NIOSH Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award is presented annually across four categories:
- Coal
- Metal
- Industrial Minerals
- Stone, Sand & Gravel
Applications are submitted via email and involve responding to a series of straightforward questions.
Background
The award aims to promote the identification, adoption, and dissemination of new technologies throughout the mining industry. NIOSH believes that technology is an evolving process, not a one-time solution, and should be continuously improved to resolve existing problems in the industry.
“In mining, technology should not be a one-time ‘fix’ but rather an evolving and continuously improving process of applying new and better technologies and systems to solve problems,” NIOSH stated in a release announcing the award.
Mines and companies are encouraged to self-nominate for this prestigious award.
Nomination Process
To nominate a mine or company, submit an email to NIOSH Mining (mining@cdc.gov) by the July 1 deadline. Include responses to the following questions:
- Which sector is most applicable to your submission? (Metal, Coal, Industrial Minerals, or Stone, Sand & Gravel)
- What problem were you solving?
- What is the technology or process, and how does it work?
- How did you modify and evaluate the technology or process to solve your specific problem?
- What did you do to implement the technology or process at your mine?
- What health and safety benefits have been realized or are expected?
- What mining operation or company is implementing the technology?
- Who is the primary contact for this submission? (Name, email address, phone number)
Submissions may include optional pictures and diagrams to clarify the technology or process. The submission does not need to be elaborately produced and the text can be in lay terms, according to NIOSH.
Next Steps
Upon receipt of a nomination, NIOSH will send an acknowledgement and further details about the evaluation process. The agency will contact nominees if further clarification is needed during the review. While nominations are accepted year-round, the awards are presented annually, typically corresponding to the sponsoring organization’s meetings. Nominations received after the deadline will be considered for the subsequent year.
Award Presentation
Award ceremonies are hosted annually by associations affiliated with each of the four sectors:
- Industrial Minerals: Essential Minerals Association conference in Washington DC
- Stone, Sand & Gravel: NSSGA Legislative & Policy Forum
- Metal: NMA safety award ceremony
- Coal: NMA safety award ceremony
Award winners will receive details about the time and location of their award presentation.
