Standing support is often used in conjunction with underground retreat mining. Knowledge of the load-displacement behavior of a standing support and loading induced by the mine opening is critical proper support selection. The NIOSH STOP database contains load-displacement laboratory test data for most commonly used standing supports. Hydraulic load cells currently used to measure in-situ loading of standing supports have exhibited leakage under load, producing irregularities within the dataset. An improved hydraulic load cell eliminates leakage and produces more consistent data. / Master of Science / In retreat mining of a traditional room and pillar or longwall mining operation standing support is utilized. The standing support is comprised over various types of systems, wood timbers, wood cribs, pumpable supports and metal supports. These standing supports help aid in the recovery of the reserves and/or maintain ventilation through the mining excavation. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Support Technology Optimization Program (STOP) has a database of laboratory testing on load displacement used on various standing supports. To relate this laboratory testing to in-situ load of standing support hydraulic load cells have been introduced. The hydraulic load cells design is a thin metal bladder filled with fluid that is placed on the top or bottom of the standing support. These hydraulic load cells have exhibited inconsistencies due to leakage under load, producing irregularities within the dataset. To achieve a reliable dataset on active standing supports it is vital that current load-measuring devices needs to be re-evaluated and redesigned.