The NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research sponsored a free, one-day workshop to discuss proximity warning and detection systems for mining equipment.

NIOSH researchers presented information on the latest technologies, both experimental and commercial, to prevent collisions between mining equipment and other vehicles or personnel, and to prevent remote controlled continuous miner operators from being pinned by the machines they are operating. Presentations covered technologies suitable for all mining applications, with special emphasis on underground mining. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) provided an update on recent proximity detection activities, and the West Virginia Mine Safety Technology Task Force reported on its efforts to implement proximity detection systems.

Slides and videos for the presentations made by NIOSH researchers are available for downloading below. In addition, you may request a DVD of these workshop presentations by sending an email to OMSHR@cdc.gov.

• Welcome
  R.J Matetic, PhD Acting Branch Chief, Electrical and Mechanical Systems Safety, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides (PDF, 2353 KB, 2010)
• Overview of Proximity Warning System Technology and Approaches
  Todd Ruff, MS, PE, Acting Deputy Branch Chief, Electrical and Mechanical Systems Safety, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides  (PDF, 3941 KB, 2010)  |  Video (WMV, 149 MB, 2010)
• Status of International Implementation of Proximity Warning Systems
  Miguel Angel Reyes, Electrical Engineer, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides  (PDF, 7972 KB, 2010)  |  Video (WMV, 113 MB, 2010)
• Update on MSHA Proximity Detection Activities
  Dave Chirdon, Mine Safety and Health Administration
• Update on West Virginia Mine Safety Technology Task Force Efforts
  Jim Dean, Co- Chairman, West Virginia Mine Safety Technology Task Force
• Intelligent Proximity Detection System for Continuous Mining Machines
  Chris Jobes, PhD, PE, Mechanical Engineer and Jacob Carr, MS, Safety Engineer, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides  (PDF, 5292 KB, 2010)  |  Video (WMV, 127 MB, 2010)
• Behavioral Considerations for Proximity Warning Implementation
  Catherine Kingsley Westerman, PhD, Health Communications Fellow, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides  (PDF, 2044 KB, 2010)  |  Video (WMV, 66 MB, 2010)
• Ergonomic Considerations for Proximity Warning Implementation
  Patrick Dempsey, PhD, CPE, Acting Team Leader, Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research
  Slides  (PDF, 670 KB, 2010)  |  Video (WMV, 67 MB, 2010)