Work Environment Factors Mining Research in Sudbury Ontario

Transcription

1 Overview Case Study Mining Ergonomics Introduction Workplace Environment Case Examples Lighting/Visibility Vibration Summary Underground Mines Environment Dark Damp Cold or hot Loud (blasting) Air quality (dust) Isolated TOOLS Survey methods Jackhammer/stoper Jumbo drills Explosives EQUIPMENT LHD Dump trucks Work Environment Factors Mining Research in Sudbury Ontario Lighting/Visibility Noise Mining Association Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association In partnership with Climate/Thermoregulation Vibration Funded by

2 Identification of Problem Poor visibility is a causal factor in serious incidents involving LHD vehicles. Impaired Line of Sight Pedestrian 0 ft 0 ft visibility line for a 5.5ft pedestrian 90ft +Roadway Visibility Line LHD vehicles have struck pedestrians, other vehicles, equipment, the drift and have driven into open holes. Pedestrian is no longer visible Line of Sight Statistics Consider Contrast Accidents/injuries involving LHD vehicle in Ontario Mines ( ) Type of Accident Number of Claims To perceive an item, contrast is needed between the object and the background Global vs Local contrast Medical Aid Lost Time Fatalities Total Underground environment Dark rock Artificial light Reflection Contrast Contrast effects The Question is: In which figures can you most clearly discern the light central square? a)high contrast global background and high contrast local background (frame around the central square) Contrast What does this mean? b)high contrast global background and low contrast local background. c)high contrast global background (only). d)low contrast global background (only). e)low contrast global background with the added advantage of high contrast local background. Compare A to B Figure A has the more visible central square. This is the advantage of high local contrast. Compare C and D Figure D has the more visible central square. This is the advantage of low global contrast. Figure E Whissell, Salmoni & Eger,, 00 Most visible - You have the combination of the high contrast local background with the low contrast global background lead to the most visible central square.

3 Mobile Mining Equipment Visibility Projects Right Bucket Corner Right Front Right Back Corner Back Right Back Center Left Back Corner Bucket Center Left Back Underground Mobile Trackless Equipment Visibility Investigation Left Bucket Corner Left Front Mobile Mining Equipment Operator Visibility Investigation Line of Sight Issues with Underground Mobile Equipment Import CAD models into the JACK program JACK v4.0 Capabilties evaluate line of sight» Visibility audit» Target Audit» Visibility boxplot» Obscuration zones» Eye windows» VALs evaluate posture» Joint forces» Muscle activity» comfort

4 Hand dexterity Collision Reach capability Ingress/Egress Low Back Load Analysis Posture Assessment The numbers behind the pretty pictures Some environments

5 JACK the miner JACK eyeview inside cab Visibility Assessment Tools Visibility Assessment Tools Shadow Diagram Field Testing 1. Visibility Audit Next: Laser Scanner Visibility Box Plot Red = no line-of-sight Green = line-of-sight for operators NEXT: Laser Scanning Comparison Visibility Assessment Tools Example Modifications Original Modified Original Modified Obscuration Zones (vehicle parts) Obscuration Zones (whole vehicle)

6 EYEVIEW Eye-View Results Cab modification: wrap around window EYEVIEW Associated Visibility Improvements Eye-View Results Modifications: EYEVIEW camera addition Extreme neck and trunk twist, significant forward and lateral bend. Back support, no lateral or forward bend, less trunk twist Typical right turn articulation with a pedestrian and ground hazards located to front right area of LHD CAMERA VIEW Original LHD Modified LHD & Original Posture & Changed Posture Seat Design and Posture Seat Rotation Visibility Project Outcomes DISSEMINATION Manufacturers Cab redesign based on results from the 1 st visibility study 0 degrees (current) 0 degrees 45 degrees There is less neck twist and trunk twist with increasing seat rotation Line of Sight Statistics Accidents/injuries involving LHD vehicle in Ontario Mines ( ) Whole Body Vibration in Mobile Equipment Operation Type of Accident Medical Aid Lost Time Fatalities Total Number of Claims For more information contact: Tammy Eger School of Human Kinetics Laurentian University ext Teger@nickel.laurentian.ca

7 Project Background vibration exposure stimulates bursts of muscle activity, which increase muscle fatigue fatigued muscles are less able to support the spine, which increases the risk of back injury (buckling) Potential Health Effects Vibration may cause Back injury - Fatigue Circulatory disorders - Headaches Bowel disorders - Dizziness Hearing loss - Nausea There is an increased effect on the body if the vibration is in the resonant frequency range of the body. Lumbar spine and pelvis effected by Z axis vibrations at 4Hz and Hz (Mansfield & Griffin, 000) RMS accelerations Data Analysis for Vibration Levels Frequency (Hz) 4 hours 16 hours 8 hours 4 hours.5 hours 1 hour Muck Machine 1 RMS accelerations Testing Findings: Seated Equipment that exceeds the ACGIH TLV guidelines: Underground Haul Trucks (4 hours of operation) 3.5 and 7 yard Scoop Trams (1 hour; 4 hours of operation) Bulldozer (4 hours of operation) Grader (4 hours of operation) Laud Haul Dump Vehicles Frequency (hz) 371 #1 371 # 4 hours 16 hours 8 hours 4 hours.5 hours 1 hour 3.5 yard yard RMS accelerations Bulldozer and Grader Frequency (Hz) 4 hours 16 hours 8 hours 4 hours.5 hours 1 hour 5 minutes 16 minutes 1 minute Grader Dozer Findings Equipment types and operating conditions resulting in large crest factors (impact loading) more commonly exceed the vibration exposure limit. Operators of smaller LHD vehicles were exposed to higher levels of vibration Anti-fatigue matting helped reduce the harmful effects of WBV exposure for some standing operators (jumbo drillers & locomotive operators) Intervention Strategies maintain equipment/roadways regular maintenance to evaluate seat function regular road care minimize exposure time job rotation rest breaks isolate the vibration source vibration damping seats reduce the crest factor (Automatic driver weight adjustment or manual weight adjustments)

8 Dissemination Strong link with industry User-group meetings Safety meetings, posters, education programs Future projects Heat stress Forklifts Mining Game to promote visibility issues 1. Pick your mine. Pick the vehicle you want to drive 3. Pick your mission 4. Pick your skill level 5. Do the pre-check of the vehicle 6. Start your mission - avoid pedestrians - avoid the mine drift - avoid other vehicles Collisions are based on visibility zones around the LHD

9 7. Complete the mission - Drive to ore - Load the bucket - Drive to ore dump - Repeat until ore meter is full Mission Failure - Hit a pedestrian - Collision meter is at the max The game is currently being pilot tested and will be ready for release to the general public in 005.