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| Roof bolting in low coal |
Background
As higher-seam coal mines are increasing mined out, companies are turning to low-seam options as ways to meet the demand for coal. Seam height in low-seam mines can range from 36 to 44 inches, requiring miners to spend a large percentage of their days either crawling or working in a kneeling position. Because of these nonneutral restricted postures, mine workers experience knee pain and injury earlier and to a greater degree than would be experienced in nonmining environments. Many mine companies consider low-seam coal mining to be a young man’s game! To reduce the risk of knee injury, a multi-faceted research project has been started that includes an epidemiology study, task analyses of different occupations in low-seam mining, the creation of a biomechanical model of the knee, and a healthy knee training module. These tasks all contribute to the goal of recommending improved designs for work methods as well as the development of personal protective equipment. A comprehensive study on ways to reduce knee injuries in coal mining has never before been initiated.
Potential Outcome
By 2009, this study will lead to the reduction of knee injuries in coal miners, so that coal miners can work longer in low-seam operations. In addition, analyses using the biomechanical model of the knee may lead to the reduction of knee injuries in people working in other occupations. The development of new knee pad designs will contribute to the reduction of knee injuries in mining. All these reductions in injuries will decrease the personal and financial burden of these injuries. Knowledge gained as a result of this study will be disseminated in the form of guidelines, training programs, recommendations for better work practices, and recommendations for improved knee pad designs. These results will be disseminated through mining and safety conferences, as well as through MSHA. Success of this multi-faceted, skills-leveraging approach that utilizes the talent of people working in industry, government, and academia may inspire others to use the same approach to answer their research questions.