Effect of Operator Position on the Incidence of Continuous Mining Machine/Worker Collisions

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (20) ◽  
pp. 1416-1420
Author(s):  
John R. Bartels ◽  
Dean H. Ambrose ◽  
Sean Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Response Times ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Workplace Relationships ◽  
Continuous Miner ◽  
Work Posture ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Continuous Mining ◽  
Machine Speed ◽  
Machine Work

Remote operation of continuous miners has enhanced the health and safety of underground miners in many respects; however, numerous fatal and non-fatal continuous miner struck-by accidents have occurred when using remote controls. In an effort to prevent these injuries, NIOSH researchers at Pittsburgh Research Laboratory examined the workplace relationships between continuous miner operators and various tramming modes of the equipment using motion captured data, predicted operator response times, and field- of- view data to determine causes of operator-machine struck-by events in a virtual mine environment. Factors studied included machine speed, direction of escape, operator facing orientation relative to the machine, work posture, distance from machine, and operator anthropometry. Close proximity to the machine, high machine tramming speeds, a right-facing orientation and operator positioning near the tail all resulted in high risk of being struck. It is hoped that this data will provide an improved rationale for operator positioning for remotely operated continuous miners.

An Investigation of the Mechanics and Noise Associated with Coal Cutting

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Becker ◽  
G. R. Anderson ◽  
J. Kovac
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Cutting Tools ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cutting Speed ◽  
Cutting Parameters ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Cutting Mechanics ◽  
Coal Cutting ◽  
Continuous Mining

The results of a laboratory investigation of coal cutting mechanics and noise are presented. These experiments were performed using a linear cutting apparatus that operates over a broad cutting speed range. The influence of several coal cutting parameters on the noise, force, productivity, and specific energy associated with linear cuts was ascertained. Some basic theoretical aspects of coal cutting mechanics and noise generation are discussed, and the results of the laboratory experiments are used to formulate analytical models of the coal cutting forces and noise. The analytical model for coal cutting noise is then generalized to account for the more important effects of rotary cutting. Based on the generalized model, an estimate of the sound pressure level at an operator’s position is made for a typical continuous mining machine. It is concluded that by employing linear rather than rotary cuts, using deeper depths of cut, slower cutting speeds, and more efficient cutting tools, it is possible to reduce the level of coal cutting noise, as well as provide benefits to other important areas of health and safety in underground mining.

A three-dimensional shoulder protector based on ergonomics for workers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran-i Eom ◽  
Yejin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Body Shape ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Three Dimensional Printing ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Work Posture ◽  
Dimensional Printing

PurposeThe use of shoulder protectors is strongly recommended when carrying objects on the shoulder to ensure the health and safety of workers. Thus, this study aimed to develop and verify an ergonomic shoulder protector that considers human body shape and carrying posture from an ergonomic perspective. Ultimately, this study will present a shoulder protector with enhanced fit and safety for carrying workers at construction sites.Design/methodology/approachThe shoulder protector was designed and printed using three-dimensional printing technology with variable side neck points and shoulder point heights to reflect the human body's shoulder line shape and to position the carried object stably on the shoulder. The developed shoulder protectors were evaluated in terms of their fit according to the work posture of the carrier, adherence upon motion and durability through structural analysis.FindingsThe design of the shoulder protector for carrying workers followed the shoulder line. It is best placed above the side neck point by 1.0 cm and above the shoulder point by 2.0 cm. Its length is slightly shorter than the human shoulder for superior fit and safety.Originality/valueThe final shoulder protector (FSP) for carrying workers reflects the body curvature while enhancing fit and safety by considering activity and protective factors. As functional studies and evaluations on the need for protectors are scarce, this study provides fundamental data in the evaluation of protective gears.

Low Cost Remote Control Continuous Miner

1981 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 431-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig S. Hartley ◽  
August J. Kwitowski
Keyword(s):  
Remote Control ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Coaxial Cable ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Mining System ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Continuous Miner ◽  
Potential Safety ◽  
Continuous Mining

Preliminary results are presented for a study to determine the feasibility of providing adequate human-engineered cabs in thin coal seams through the use of a remotely positioned operator. This study, which is being performed under contract to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, concentrates on the development of a cab for a continuous miner and involves three phases. First, workers were observed and questioned to produce a detailed task analysis of work performed by the miner operator and his helper, and a critical incidents analysis was conducted to define system requirements for handling unusual events in the work place. Second, evaluations were made of remote continuous mining system components in order to develop a baseline system configuration. Third, a baseline design concept was developed consisting of a remote, two-wheeled trailer cab linked to a Jeffrey 101 miner by coaxial cable. The miner is modified by adding to it an automatic cable handling system, a multiplexed remote control and sensor system, and two controllable closed circuit TV cameras. Potential safety and economic benefits are presented for the baseline concept.

Evaluation of Mining Activities Using a Scenario Interview Approach

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 1108-1112
Author(s):  
Fred Turin ◽  
Lisa Steiner ◽  
Kim Cornelius
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Underground Coal Mining ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Safe Work ◽  
Mining Conditions ◽  
Continuous Mining ◽  
Machine Operator ◽  
Scenario Approach

NIOSH researchers have been examining underground coal mining activities in order to evaluate work crew hazards. In 1994 a continuous mining machine operator was killed by falling roof during extended cut mining. Many aspects of the incident were used by NIOSH researchers to develop a scenario interview. The goal was to provide a realistic framework for acquiring frank and detailed insights. The interview consists of two sections. The first describes the underground mining conditions. The second recounts the fatal incident. Each section is supplemented by a diagram and a set of questions addressing relevant safety issues. The interview was administered at three mines that actively take extended cuts. Researchers found the scenario approach to be an effective interview tool as well as an effective hazard awareness and safe work practices training platform.

scholarly journals ERGONOMIC EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS USED IN FORESTRY OPERATIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 435-445
Author(s):  
Jelvis Santos Machado ◽  
Stanley Schettino ◽  
Fernando Colen ◽  
Sidney Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Work Station ◽  
Work Posture ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Work Accidents ◽  
Working Day ◽  
Agricultural Tractors

The objective of this work was to evaluate farming machines adapted to forestry work and to verify if their characteristics meet the safety, ergonomics and working conditions necessary to maintain the health and safety of the operators. Thus, three farming tractors were selected, with a closed cabin and a minimum power of 73.5 kW, a widely used specification in the forestry sector. The following ergonomic parameters were considered: acess to the cab, cab dimensions, visibility, seat, controls and operation, work posture, cabin air conditioning, noise, lighting and maintenance aspects. The evaluations were based on the guidelines contained in the “Ergonomic Guidelines for Forest Machines” of the Swedish Forestry Research Institute, developed for forestry machines. The results showed that all the evaluated machines presented ergonomic standards below those indicated in all evaluated aspects, particularly related to access to the work station and difficulties during mechanical maintenance, besides the necessity of adopting forced postures during the working day due to operator’s seats. It was concluded that the farming machines adapted for work in forest processes presented significant gaps in relation to the ergonomic aspects, which represents high and imminent risks of development of occupational diseases in their operators, as well as the predisposition to work accidents.

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