PURPOSE:  (1) Develop and test interventions that will decrease accidents involving off-highway dump trucks in surface mining operations and (2) disseminate this information to the mining industry, standard-developing organizations, and MSHA to aid in the implementation of effective interventions.

RESEARCH SUMMARY:  An average of 675 accidents and 21 fatalities involving powered haulage equipment occurs each year in metal/nonmetal and coal surface mining operations. Three major problems areas are being addressed by this project:

Accidents attributed to the lack of visibility near large haulage equipment. These accidents fall into two main categories: collisions between mining equipment and smaller vehicles, workers on foot, structures, or other equipment; and driving or backing over the edge of an embankment, stock pile, dump point, or other change in terrain. In surface coal and metal/nonmetal mines and quarries, 24 fatalities occurred between 1999 and 2003 that fell into these accident classifications, accounting for 12% of all surface mine fatalities. Dump trucks were involved in 58% of these accidents. To address this problem, researchers are studying available sensor and camera technology to assess which systems are effective in preventing collisions and can handle the conditions of surface mining. To date, a combination of an off-the-shelf radar system and a camera has been thoroughly tested at a surface mine. Preliminary tests have also been conducted on innovative systems developed in cooperation with outside organizations, including a GPS-based system and a stereovision system.

Accidents that occur during truck maintenance and tire changing. Mine personnel responsible for equipment maintenance are subject to frequent and heavy lifting, exposure to hazardous substances (oil, gas, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, welding fumes etc.), working in cramped or awkward spaces, high-pressure hoses and vessels, and a variety of other hazards. Injuries and fatalities have occurred as a result of exploding vessels, falls from equipment, hand tool use, and falling materials, all of which were directly related to equipment maintenance activities. A thorough examination of fatality and injury data associated with powered haulage maintenance and repair will be conducted to prioritize safety training areas. Potential interventions and overviews of current best practices will also be studied.

Injuries that occur during stepping down from or getting onto equipment. Another issue being addressed is the topic of slips and falls, in particular, accidents associated with accessing large mobile equipment. An average of over 300 accidents per year is reported to MSHA that fall in the mount/dismount category. Improved methods and systems for equipment access are being tested on dump trucks and dozers in cooperation with mining companies and equipment manufacturers.