Overviews

Fall From Equipment Injuries in U.S. Mining: Identification of Specific Research Areas for Future Investigation (PDF, 229 KB, 2009)
This study evaluates the circumstances leading to fall from equipment injuries in the mining industry.

Reducing Low Back Pain and Disability in Mining (PDF, 2652 KB, 2008-09)
This report seeks to provide managers, supervisors, and safety and health professionals with a greater understanding of LBP and low back disability (work time lost due to LBP). It also attempts to improve the understanding of the many factors that influence LBP, provide the latest research information related to its causes, and describe methods that have proven to be effective in preventing LBP and disability.

Data & statistics

Ergonomic and Statistical Assessment of Safety in Deep-Cut Mines (PDF, 8693 KB, 1994)
This paper examines occupational safety concerns associated with deep-cut mining. Mining deeper cuts may have some unknown effects on how miners position themselves for visibility, the types of accidents that can occur, and the new interactions between the equipment and the continuous miner operator.

Injuries Associated with Continuous Miners, Shuttle Cars, Load-haul-dump, and Personnel Transport in New South Wales Underground Coal Mines (PDF, 265 KB, 2006)
Australian compensation statistics suggest that 22% of all lost time claims in the mining industry are associated with mobile plant and transport. A previous analysis of injury data obtained over 10 years from six mines suggested that the equipment most commonly involved in these injuries were continuous miners, shuttle cars, load-haul-dump vehicles and personnel transport. This paper reports an analysis of the narrative text fields accompanying all reports of injuries associated with these equipment types in New South Wales underground coal mines in the three years to June 2005.

Statistics-based Safety: Part 2: An Analysis of the Sand and Gravel Operator Injuries Occurring During a 10-year Span Provides Insight Into Improving Safety (PDF, 874 KB, 2006)
A data analysis of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the sand and gravel industry for the period 1994-2003.

Diseases, injuries & disorders

Electromyography of the Thigh Muscles during Lifting Tasks in Kneeling and Squatting Postures (PDF, 1584 KB, 2011)
This paper examines the EMG responses of knee extensors/flexors to lifting in kneeling or squatting postures and discusses the impact of posture and kneepads on muscle recruitment and explores the implications for work in such postures.

Torso Flexion Loads and Fatigue Failure Mode of Human Lumbosacral Motion Segments (PDF, 310 KB, 2005)
Spine loads associated with lifting a 9-kg weight were estimated at three torso flexion angles (0, 22.5, and 45 deg), and lumbosacral motion segments were cyclically loaded using these loads until failure or to a maximum of 10,020 cycles. The objective was to simulate the postures and loads experienced by the lumbar spine during repetitive lifting of moderate weights in different torso flexion postures and to analyze the fatigue failure response of lumbosacral motion segments

Measurement & analysis

Analysis of Applied Forces and Electromyography of Back and Shoulders Muscles When Performing A Simulated Hand Scaling Task (PDF, 107 KB, 2010-05)
The experiments described in this article simulated rib scaling (scaling a mine wall) from an elevated bucket to examine force generation and electromyographic responses using two types of scaling bars at five target heights ranging from floor level to 176 cm.

An Analysis of Injury Claims From Low-Seam Coal Mines (PDF, 82 KB, 2009-03)
This article provides an analysis of injury claims for eight mining companies operating low-seam coal mines during calendar years 1996-2008.

Characteristics of Gait in Restricted Vertical Space Versus Unrestricted Walking (PDF, 393 KB, 2010)
The objective of the current manuscript is to assess the difference between free cadence walking versus stoopwalking (under a 1.2 m ceiling), four-point crawling (hands and knees), and two-point crawling (knees only), both with and without kneepads. Compared to upright walking, stoopwalking resulted in a 24% reduction in gait velocity and exhibited reduced stride length (1.04 versus 1.51 meters). Four-point crawling further slowed gait (to 0.50 m/s) and showed evidence of both trot-like and pace-like interlimb coordination patterns. Gait speed for two-point crawling was only 0.32 m/s.

A Comparison of Fatigue Failure Responses of Old Versus Middle-Aged Lumbar Motion Segments in Simulated Flexed Lifting (PDF, 239 KB, 2007-08)
Survival analysis techniques were used to compare the fatigue failure responses of elderly motion segments to a middle-aged sample. It was concluded that younger motion segments survive considerably longer when exposed to similar spine loading conditions that simulate repetitive lifting in neutral and flexed torso postures, primarily associated with the increased bone mineral content possessed by younger motion segments.

Comparison of Passive Seat Suspension with Different Configuration of Seat Pads and Active Seat Suspension (PDF, 98 KB, 2008)
The purposes of this paper are to analyze the performance and dynamic response of driver/operator when subjected to different levels of vibration due to rough road conditions depicted in a mine field, and to quantify the energy transmission in the presence of seat padding with special characteristics and active suspension.

Comparison of Whole-Body Vibration Exposures on Older and Newer Haulage Trucks at an Aggregate Stone Quarry Operation (PDF, 240 KB, 2008)
The purpose of this testing was to monitor the performance of older and newer truck models relative to whole-body vibration (WBV) exposures as a means for determining when vehicle (e.g., suspension system) and seats required maintenance or replacement.

An Economic Justification for the Implementation of Interventions that Reduce Knee Injuries in Underground Mining (PDF, 154 KB, 2010)
The 2007 United States Mine Safety and Health Administration database reported 227 knee injuries occurring in underground coal. From workers´ compensation data, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determined that the average cost per knee injury in this industry was $13,121.29 yielding nearly three million dollars as an estimated financial burden of these injuries on the industry in 2007. NIOSH has investigated various types of interventions that underground coal mining companies may implement as means for decreasing mine workers´ risk for developing knee injuries.

Effect of Operator Position on the Incidence of Continuous Mining Machine/Worker Collisions (PDF, 1045 KB, 2007)
The purpose of this investigation was to analyze factors influencing struck-by accidents during tramming of a continuous mining machine using digital human model simulations driven by actual human motion analysis with a variety of subjects, postures, facing orientations, environmental constraints, and machine characteristics.

Ergonomics: Beyond Compliance (PDF, 139 KB, 2007-02)
The health and financial costs of cumulative injuries are plaguing the mining industry. Many mines are realizing that the only way to tackle their most costly injuries, cumulative injuries, is to make the proactive choice to understand those injuries, their root causes and to make workplace changes to prevent them from occurring. The benefits of a formalized approach to reducing these injuries along with examples is presented.

Evaluation of Muscle Activity, Forces, Stresses, and Moments at the Knee During Kneeling and Squatting Tasks (PDF, 154 KB, 2010)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has investigated muscle activity, forces, stresses, and moments at the knee (with and without kneepads) while subjects assumed the following postures: bilateral kneeling in full flexion, bilateral kneeling at 90° of flexion, kneeling on one knee, and squatting (performed with 48” simulated mine roof).

Evaluation of Safety Assessment Methods for the Mining Industry. Volume II: User's Manual of Safety Assessment Methods for Mine Safety Officials (PDF, 5168 KB, 1983-05)
The objectives of this study were to examine a representative cross section of formal safety analysis techniques developed for the nuclear and aerospace industries, to recommend those methods that would be suitable for application to the mining industry, and to include those methods in a user's manual.

Evaluation of Work Positions used by Continuous Miner Operators in Underground Coal Mines (PDF, 197 KB, 2009)
Using experienced equipment operators as a source, researchers conducted an investigation that developed a method to gather data on the needs and practices of machine operators while controlling the machine and the reasons for needing particular operational cues.

External L5-S1 Joint Moments When Lifting Wire Mesh Screen Used to Prevent Rock Falls in Underground Mines (PDF, 1684 KB, 2009-09)
This study uses biomechanical modeling to estimate external moments about L5-S1 for sixteen lifting tasks, using two sizes of wire mesh screens, and presents recommendations to reduce spine loading.

Forces and Moments on the Knee During Kneeling and Squatting (PDF, 787 KB, 2011)
Euler angle decomposition and inverse dynamics were used to determine the knee angles and net forces and moments applied to the tibia during kneeling and squatting with and without kneepads for 10 subjects in four postures: squatting (Squat), kneeling on the right knee (One Knee), bilateral kneeling near full flexion (Near Full) and bilateral kneeling near 90° flexion (Near 90). Kneepads affected the knee flexion (p = .002), medial forces (p = .035), and internal rotation moments (p = .006). Squat created loading conditions that had higher varus (p < .001) and resultant moments (p = .027) than kneeling. One Knee resulted in the highest force magnitudes and net moments (p < .001) of the kneeling postures. Thigh-calf and heel-gluteus contact forces decreased the flexion moment on average by 48% during Squat and Near Full.

Implementation of an Ergonomics Process at a US Surface Coal Mine (PDF, 1848 KB, 2007-02)
Since 1990 and the publication of the Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, numerous reports of companies implementing ergonomics program have been published. In 2000, NIOSH initiated a long-term project to demonstrate the implementation of an ergonomics process designed to identify and reduce exposures to ergonomic risk factors found in mining. This paper discusses how a large, surface coal mine implemented an ergonomics program and the lessons learned while doing so.

Pressures Applied to Anatomical Landmarks of the Knee While in Kneeling Postures (PDF, 110 KB, 2009)
The pressure applied to the patella and combined PT and TT was determined for postures associated with low-seam mining.

Prevalence and Cost of Cumulative Injuries Over Two Decades of Technological Advances: A Look at Underground Coal Mining in the U.S. (PDF, 139 KB, 2008-01)
This paper describes a study to evaluate the prevalence of cumulative injuries before and after the implementation of technological advances in underground coal mining and to make a general cost estimate for these injuries.

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.

Task Analysis (HTM, 35 KB, 1997)
The goal of ergonomics is to design jobs and tasks around the user's limitations and capabilities. To accomplish this, the designer must understand how the equipment will be used, maintained, and even misused.

Task-Specific Postures in Low-Seam Underground Coal Mining (PDF, 689 KB, 2012)
The objective of this study was to determine low-seam mine worker exposure to various postures as they pertain to job classifications and job tasks.

Validity and Reliability of Sincerity Test for Dynamic Trunk Motions (PDF, 143 KB, 2003-02)
This article reports the findings of a two phase study to first determine whether or not a sincerity of effort during dynamic trunk motion performance measure correctly identified those giving a sincere effort in a blinded randomized control trial and second to quantify inter-rater and test-retest reliability.

Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Comparison of Seat Designs for Low- and Mid-Seam Shuttle Cars in Underground Coal Mines (PDF, 9437 KB, 2010-01)
The objective of this study was to gather additional data to support earlier findings that NIOSH seats, with unique viscoelastic foam padding, are indeed improved designs for coal mine shuttle cars. Furthermore, the results of this study may have potential application for the seats of other heavy off-road vehicles used in surface mining, construction and agriculture.

Case studies

Ergonomics Processes: Implementation Guide and Tools for the Mining Industry (PDF, 5194 KB, 2009-02)
Despite the many unique challenges in the mining environment, three mining companies partnered with the MSD Prevention Team at NIOSH PRL to demonstrate that an ergonomics process could be systematically implemented and effectively integrated with existing safety and health programs. A description of how these three companies applied ergonomics and the tools and training used to implement their processes is given.

Using Ergonomics To Enhance Safe Production At a Surface Coal Mine - A Case Study With Powder Crews (PDF, 72 KB, 2009-10)
(NIOSH) researchers worked with powder crew members from the Bridger Coal Company to identify and rank routine work tasks based on perceived exposure to WMSD risk factors.

Engineering controls

An Analysis of the Potential of Roof Screening to Reduce Workers' Compensation Costs (PDF, 116 KB, 2010)
The goal of this study was to determine the potential saving in workers' compensation (WC) premiums that could be achieved due to a reduction in rock fall injuries after roof screening.

Demands on the Knee During Kneeling and Squatting Activities Common to Low-seam Mining (PDF, 10828 KB, 2011)
In 2009, the operating height of approximately one fourth of underground coal mines in the U.S. restricted mine workers to kneeling, crawling, and/or stooping posture to perform work [MSHA 2009). The large number of knee injuries to these workers is likely attributed to exposure to musculoskeletal disorder risk factors (prolonged kneeling, crawling, and twisting on one's knees). Considering the potential impact of the three biomechanical parameters, several key recommendations were made regarding when it may be most appropriate to use specific postures. Additional recommendations were also made regarding the design of kneepads.

Ergonomic Interventions at Unimin (PDF, 350 KB, 2008)
This paper discusses ergonomic interventions that were successfully implemented at the Unimin Gleason, Tennessee operation using a participatory approach to reducing the risk of injury.

Ergonomic Interventions at Vulcan Materials Company (PDF, 430 KB, 2007-11)
Many mining companies apply ergonomic principles, but it is done either informally and/or reactively. This paper discusses how Vulcan Materials Company applied ergonomic principles and the interventions implemented to reduce risk factor exposures.

Ergonomics Interventions at Badger Mining Corporation (PDF, 500 KB, 2008-03)
This paper presents details of the process integration, and several examples of task-specific interventions that reduced exposure to risk factors as a result of a partnership between NIOSH and the Badger Mining Corporation.

Jarring/Jolting Exposure and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Farm Equipment Operators (PDF, 1064 KB, 2008-09)
The objectives of this study by NIOSH were to assess driver whole-body vibration (WBV) exposures and recommend interventions to reduce the risk of back-related injuries, particularly relative to vehicle jarring/jolting.

Locomotion in Restricted space: Kinematic and Electromyographic Analysis of Stoopwalking and Crawling (PDF, 452 KB, 2011)
Stoopwalking and crawling are compulsory gait techniques in some occupational settings, as in low-seam coal mines (where vertical space may be less than 122cm). Nine participants, six males and three females (mean=35 years+17 SD), participated in a study examining kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) responses to natural cadence stoopwalking, four-point crawling (all fours), and two-point crawling (knees only).

Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries in Rail Operations (http://holmessafety.org/bulletins/2008-01-02.pdf) (PDF, 2008-01)
This article describes some of the solutions developed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in rail yards based on 1) reducing the force (or muscular effort) needed to perform tasks; 2) improving the posture of the body; and 3) reducing the duration and/or repetition of physical exertions.

Roof Screening for Underground Coal Mines: Recent Developments (PDF, 1421 KB, 2007)
This paper describes some successful techniques and machine modifications that were evaluated for ergonomic considerations and are being used in productive mines to assist with roof screen installation.

Solutions to Prevent Materials-Handling Injuries in Underground Coal Mines (PDF, 381 KB, 2007-02)
This paper describes three mechanical methods - the mobile manipulator, the in-mine hoist, and a cable-handling system - being developed and tested at NIOSH SRL to reduce "handling supplies or material, load and unload" and "moving power cables" injuries.

Technology News 521 - Development of a Mobile Manipulator to Reduce Lifting Accidents (PDF, 102 KB, 2006-12)
Discusses a first-generation mobile manipulator that one person can use to lift and maneuver 50- to 600-pound loads. It can be used in maintenance shops and mines to reduce lifting accidents.

Administrative controls

Ergonomics and Mining: Charting a Path to a Safer Workplace (PDF, 6094 KB, 2006)
This document describes how Bridger Coal Company implemented an ergonomics process at its Jim Bridger Mine from 2001 through 2004. The process developed by the Ergonomics Committee, the promotion of the process to management and employees, and the impacts of the process on working conditions at the mine are reviewed. Barriers overcome and lessons learned are also described.

Shiftwork: A Guide for Schedule Design (PDF, 8693 KB, 1994)
Based upon the perturbed performance, increased or more serious accidents, lowered production, higher absenteeism, health problems, familial problems, low morale, and job dissatisfaction due to working nights and shiftwork, the U.S. Bureau of Mines analyzed shiftwork schedule design at mining operations. This paper discusses what mining companies can do if they are considering changes in their shiftwork practices.

Personal protective equipment

Pressure Distribution on the Anatomic Landmarks of the Knee and the Effect of Kneepads (PDF, 600 KB, 2010)
This study examines stress transmitted to anatomic landmarks of the knee (patella, combined patella tendon and tibial tubercle) while in static kneeling postures without kneepads and while wearing two kneepads commonly worn in the mining industry. The major conclusion of this study is that novel kneepad designs that redistribute the stresses at the knee across a greater surface area and to other regions of the leg away from key structures of the knee are needed.

Training exercises

Practical Demonstrations of Ergonomic Principles (PDF, 3326 KB, 2011)
This document consists of a series of demonstrations designed to complement training on ergonomic principles.

Facilities

Human Performance Research Mine
Simulating mining tasks and determining potential interventions for tasks with exposures to ergonomic risk factors.

Meetings, workshops & seminars

Proceedings of the Second American Conference on Human Vibration (PDF, 3178 KB, 2009-06)
Proceedings of the Second American Conference on Human Vibration held in Chicago, Illinois.

Information gateways

Elements of Ergonomics Programs

Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

OSHA Ergonomics (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html)