Meeting Minutes from Automation and Emerging Technologies Health and Safety Partnership, Sept. 14-15, 2022

September 14

Welcome and introduction, Jessica Kogel, Associate Director for Mining, NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research

• Overview of NIOSH automation research and partnership efforts

Meeting agenda and announcements, Joel Haight, University of Pittsburgh

• Summary of the agenda setting meeting in April 2022 and review of this meeting’s agenda

 NIOSH project updates:

• Assured Autonomy Supervisory Intervention System Technology (AASIST) - Pilot Project, Michael McNinch, NIOSH Spokane Mining Research Division
• Utilizing a Human Centered Design Approach for Mine Automation – Pilot Project, Mahiyar Nasarwanji, NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Haul Truck Safety Research, Joseph Bickson, NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Automation Safety in Agriculture, Jennifer Lincoln, NIOSH Office of Agricultural Safety and Health

Secure Deployment of Autonomous Haulage Systems, Rob Labbé, Teck Resources, Chair, Board of Directors; MM-ISAC (Mining and Metals Information Sharing Analysis Center)

Summary: Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) are conventional haul trucks outfitted with OEM provided Operational Technology (OT) that allows for safe unmanned operation. Security needs to be designed into the implementation of AHS:

• Due to a changing and evolving threat landscape that now targets OT assets
• Heightened risk profile of AHS vs. traditional manned vehicle operation
• Total reliance on wireless technologies for safe production and operational control
• Existing AHS relevant standards focus on safety, but cybersecurity is only barely considered

Transformation Toward a Sustainable Future – Health and Safety at LKAB 2022, Moa Karlsson, LKAB

Summary: LKAB mines 80% of all iron ore in the EU with 27 million metric tons of iron ore products delivered in 2021. They are transitioning from iron ore pellets and fines to carbon-free sponge iron, reducing emissions and increasing production. They employ advanced technology for digitalization and automation. They have key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure health and safety in the workplace including Safety, Health, Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being.

NIOSH Contract Update – A Global Perspective on Mine Automation, Joel Haight, University of Pittsburgh

Summary: University of Pittsburgh was awarded a 3-year contract to study the extent of mine automation world-wide, accidents related to mine automation, and best practices for implementing automation technologies. Preliminary results cover these main topics and issues:

• Acceptance
• Automation Paradox
• Distributed Situational Awareness
• HMI
• Skill development
• Productivity/Safety-related trends
• Level of Engagement
• Complacency –Cultural Differences

September 15

Alternative Power Safety for Mobile Equipment, Wesley Shumaker, MSHA

Summary: Mines are transitioning from internal combustion engines and lead-acid battery powered equipment to Lithium, Molten Salts, and Fuel Cells. This may also be an enabling technology for many types of automated equipment. Considerations for this type of power source include:

• Training
• Maintenance
• Examinations
• Charging / Re-fueling
• Battery Management System and Monitoring
• Transportation and Storage
• Fire Protection
• Egress / Warning / Escape
• Collisions

Panel Discussions

Interoperability: Ron Jacksha, NIOSH; Satish Rao, MIOS Consortium (Mining Interoperability and Open Systems Consortium); Jeff Jurgens, AEM

Summary: This panel discussed the ability of systems and technologies to operate together in a safe and effective manner.  Subtopics discussed included: Wireless communication systems coexistence, open and interoperable systems for mining automation, and simplified connectivity between systems to reduce operational silos.

Q: Is there any coordination of interoperability between OEMs?

A: Standards and guidelines are available and more coming from AEM, GMG, ISO on teleoperation and autonomous equipment. Mine operators must drive this.

Q: Mine operators are still waiting for true interoperability. Challenge is liability if something goes wrong. Is this slowing adoption?

A: OEMs and technology developers are being cautious. They need guidance on interoperability and safety. Standards are being developed. There is the question of legal responsibility for 3^rd party installers, technology integrators.

Automation’s impact on workers: Moa Karlsson, Johan Larsson, Jim Kostet, LKAB; Jay Vietas, NIOSH

Summary: This panel discussed how workers are affected by automation in mining and other industries, and effective change management practices.

Q: Has there been any development of training programs for workers involved in the transitions to automation?

A: LKAB is investing in education. Workers can attend a University of Technology 2-year program to learn new skills in automation. Retention of workers is a top priority.

A: There seems to be a digital divide that must be addressed. We don’t want to sideline workers that resist technology or are uncomfortable with it.

Regulatory considerations for automation: David Snyder, NIOSH; Garvin Burns, NSW Mine Inspectorate

Summary: This panel discussed needs, approaches, and challenges with regulations to ensure safe implementation and operation of automation technologies in mining. This included barriers to implementing technology in U.S. mines, and Australia’s NSW approach to mine legislation where the mine operator must assess risk and implement controls (duty of care). “Duty holders” include mine operators, mine companies, designers, manufacturers, importers, plant suppliers, controller, but regulators are not duty holders and do not approve activities. They may give advice on several aspects through Code of Practice, Design Guidelines and Technical Reference Guides, industry seminars, and forums.

Q: In NSW will exceptions (new technology not covered by existing rules) eventually be rolled into new regulations?

A: Yes, that is the intent. When shown to have broad industry application and safety benefits, technology can be part of new regulations. This is examined every 5 years.

Summary of Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions were held for each of the above panel topics. The following are summaries of those discussions.

Interoperability:

• Coexistence of wireless systems in mining is a priority – a real concern as automation relies on this technology.
• Sharing of data between multiple systems and vendors is also critical to user interfaces, safety systems, and system level operational control.
• The agriculture sector is making progress on this front, with vendors willing to share data protocols (e.g., tractor manufacturer sharing data with a separate vendor’s seeder, etc.)
• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communications research is making progress. One option is the use of 5.9GHz band. Advantages and disadvantages were discussed.

 Automation’s impact on workers:

• Critical to involve all workers when introducing technology to mines. Significant part of a change management program.
• A three-pillar approach is being used to determine the impact on workers: Human-Technology-Organization to ensure operators and owners are on the same page.
• There is a cultural change needed when moving to automation. Don’t leave workers behind.
• NIOSH is conducting a study through contract on how mining companies implement automation and best practices will be shared.

Regulatory considerations for automation:

• Important role for implementation guidelines.
• Collision avoidance technology is being used in Australian mines, but some challenges as the developers of the technology often write the use cases and performance criteria. Operators and end-users need to be more involved. Same for automation. Industry organizations can play a role.
• There is a petition process in NSW to get new technology in mines. Only the mine operator can request this.
• It is worthwhile for NIOSH to perform research that may influence guidelines, future US standards.
• OEMs may not have access to full scale testing and rely on universities, mine companies and other situations (proving grounds) to test technology.
• Need to better understand the main factors that slow adoption of autonomous equipment in U.S. mines. Can MSHA help provide information? Yes, most of these technology requests are introduced at the district level and unless there is something that is unusual, those decisions stay at that level. For the most part, the equipment used falls into the equipment requirements that are already in use. Equipment is usually introduced piecemeal and not for entire processes (autonomous systems) in the US.
• MSHA is working on human factors considerations.

Partnership Meeting Wrap Up

Action Items:

• Plan for an agenda setting meeting in late February, 2023. Possibly in conjunction with the SME conference in Denver, CO. A face-to-face meeting would be beneficial, but need to have a call-in option.
• Copies of presentations and a meeting summary will be available on the NIOSH website. Send out an announcement when available.