Mining Publication: Characterization of Jolting and Jarring on Operators of Surface Mine Haulage Trucks

Powered haulage has been, and continues to be, a major source of severe accidents and fatalities at metal/nonmetal surface mines. Between 1986 and 1997, truck drivers accounted for 63% of the lost-time injuries in surface haulage. This project was undertaken to reduce the number and severity of lost-time injuries among operators of these trucks. Work involved measuring shock acceleration at a western surface mine during representative work cycles on two types of trucks and collecting data from cab floors using a triaxial accelerometer and from operator seats using a seat pad accelerometer. NIOSH researchers also used the mine's GPS systems to locate shock events on a mine map in real time. Shock tests were also run at Caterpillar, Inc.'s, proving grounds in Green Valley, AZ, to determine the magnitude of shocks resulting from controlled rock drops onto the bed of a haulage truck.