The mining industry is characterized by widespread equipment use. The equipment controls are the critical link between the operators and the safe and productive operation of the equipment. Controls must be designed so that the user can easily identify the appropriate control and activate it correctly without exposure to high forces or awkward postures. In addition to the exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, lack of ergonomics design can lead to operational errors resulting in injury to the operator or other miners in proximity to the machine. The work in this topic area is supported by the NIOSH Mining Ergonomics program. See the NIOSH Mining Products page for software, guides, training materials or other items related to this topic.
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Control Design Spotlights
Field Evaluation of Air-blocking Shelf for Dust Control on Blasthole Drills (PDF, 443 KB, 2011)
In previous studies, an air-blocking shelf has been shown to be successful in reducing respirable dust leakage from the drill shroud in a laboratory setting. Dust reductions of up to 81 percent were achieved with the shelf under operating conditions consisting of a 1.9:1 collector-to-bailing airflow ratio and a 5.1-cm gap between the shroud and ground. Recent research focused on evaluating the shelf on two actual operating blasthole drills, in much more severe environments. In the field, the shelf reduced dust levels in the areas surrounding one operating blasthole drill by 70 percent. Dust reductions measured in the immediate vicinity of the shroud were reduced by 66 percent at one mine and 81 percent at the other mine. These field tests confirm that the air-blocking shelf is useful for reducing respirable dust generation from blasthole drills.
Impact of Air Velocity on the Detection of Fires in Conveyor Belt Haulageways (PDF, 245 KB, 2011)
This paper discusses the impact of ventilation airflow on alarm times of the smoke detectors and video cameras, CO levels, smoke optical densities and smoke obscuration, total smoke mass concentrations, and fire heat release rates, examining how these various parameters depend upon air velocity and air quantity, the product of air velocity, and entry cross-section.
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Guides
Control Design Principles
This guide focuses on describing the first principles for control design for underground mining equipment.
Accidents & emergencies
Impact of Air Velocity on the Detection of Fires in Conveyor Belt Haulageways (PDF, 245 KB, 2011)
This paper discusses the impact of ventilation airflow on alarm times of the smoke detectors and video cameras, CO levels, smoke optical densities and smoke obscuration, total smoke mass concentrations, and fire heat release rates, examining how these various parameters depend upon air velocity and air quantity, the product of air velocity, and entry cross-section.
Measurement & analysis
Preventing Equipment Related Injuries in Underground U.S. Coal Mines (PDF, 1393 KB, 2007-10)
The five top priority hazards associated with underground coal mining equipment have been identified and information about potential contributing factors and controls collated.
Engineering controls
Field Evaluation of Air-blocking Shelf for Dust Control on Blasthole Drills (PDF, 443 KB, 2011)
In previous studies, an air-blocking shelf has been shown to be successful in reducing respirable dust leakage from the drill shroud in a laboratory setting. Dust reductions of up to 81 percent were achieved with the shelf under operating conditions consisting of a 1.9:1 collector-to-bailing airflow ratio and a 5.1-cm gap between the shroud and ground. Recent research focused on evaluating the shelf on two actual operating blasthole drills, in much more severe environments. In the field, the shelf reduced dust levels in the areas surrounding one operating blasthole drill by 70 percent. Dust reductions measured in the immediate vicinity of the shroud were reduced by 66 percent at one mine and 81 percent at the other mine. These field tests confirm that the air-blocking shelf is useful for reducing respirable dust generation from blasthole drills.
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