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| Railworker tending a car dump point |
Background
A large proportion of mined material is transported via rail. Unfortunately, loading, unloading, maintenance, and other railyard activities can be extremely physically demanding and associated with a high incidence of low back disorders. Workers frequently have to adopt awkward postures when working on the tops of railcars (opening hatches) or when working underneath (opening or cleaning dump points). Many tasks demand the use of a great deal of force, including opening gates with a steel bar, opening steel hatches on covered hopper cars, throwing switches, and setting brakes.
Many challenges are present in trying to improve methods of loading and unloading railcars, particularly since many railcars are leased and not owned (making modifications difficult or impossible) and the railcars tend to be of highly variable design. However, despite these challenges considerable opportunities exist to improve efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal risk through the application of ergonomics principles. As part of a cooperative research effort with the Industrial Minerals Association of North America, NIOSH researchers are currently analyzing tasks associated with railcar loading, unloading, and maintenance activities so that interventions can be developed and implemented to reduce the risk of low back disorders.
Potential Outcome
Expected interventions will include recommendations for improvements in switch design, methods for opening top and bottom hatches, and design and layout of rail facilities. Results of these interventions and recommendations will be presented to the industry through workshops and industry-directed publications. The impact of this research is likely to realized by 2008. Given the large number of mining companies that use rail for shipment of their products, this work in improving the design of and workplace practices for rail loading, unloading, and maintenance activities has the potential for far-reaching impacts in the mining industry.