Mining safety training that connects research to practice for Western miners
Official title: Western Mining Safety & Health Training Resource Center: Facilitating Research to Practice through Learning Laboratories
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11624107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a U.S. mining safety program that partners universities and mining operators to improve training, safety practices, and outcomes for mine workers in the Western United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $243,000 |
| NIH project number | 6U60OH010014-16M001 |
| Project ID | NIH-11624107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include miners, training staff, supervisors, and health and safety professionals working in Western U.S. mines.
✕Less likely to help
Workers or operators not engaged with the LLs program or not in the Western U.S. may see limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
This grant continues a collaborative, industry-academic program to create and share training resources and mentorship for miners, trainers, supervisors, and health and safety professionals. It builds on prior work showing fewer injuries and fewer days lost due to safety improvements, and it expands partnerships with contractors, small operators, and underserved groups. Through Learning Laboratories, researchers and safety staff will identify industry needs, deploy training materials, and evaluate how well these resources translate into safer day-to-day work. The project emphasizes real-world applicability and aims to link safety research with practical changes in the mining industry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, miners and safety staff could benefit from better training resources and proven practices that reduce injuries and days lost.
How similar studies have gone: Previous LLs work showed meaningful reductions in injuries and days lost among participating mines, supporting potential for broader impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Leonard D — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Brown, Leonard D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.