Predicting Systems Interactions in the Design Process

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cornelius, Kim M. ; Steiner, Lisa J. ; Turin, Fred C. ; Cornelius, Kim M. ; Steiner, Lisa J. ; Turin, Fred C.
• Description:
  With emerging new technologies, accidents may occur because human-system interactions were not considered adequately in the development process. Development of new methods and equipment is inspired by the promise of increased productivity and reduced costs. It is important to consider the system, man-machine-environment, and their interactions in its entirety in the design phase of a new or changing process. A trend observed in underground coal mining can be used to illustrate the necessity of a systematic method to identify hazards and reduce the probability of mishaps. In the case study of extended cut mining, remote control mining methods have replaced previously employed manual on-board methods of coal extraction. The interactive, systematic methods to identify and predict the probable effects of this new technology include literature review, accident and fatality analysis, interviews and activity analysis. The question to be answered: "What effect do equipment and method changes have on the operator and other workers?" Researchers found that minimal human factors consideration was given when switching from manual on-board to remote control operation despite the dramatically modified role of the human component. The effects imposed on operator, helpers, shuttle car drivers and roof bolters were significant. Problems that could have been avoided through careful and early integration of ergonomics included inadequate operator feedback, poor illumination provisions, and increased exposure to roof and rib. It is essential to attempt to determine and predict the effects of equipment and method changes prior to their implementation and to continuously evaluate the change after implementation. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Coal Coal Mining Ergonomics Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Coal-mining Mine-workers Mining-industry Underground-mining Worker-safety
• Series:
  Mining Publications   ; Mining Publications  
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary ; Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PRL - Pittsburgh Research Laboratory ; PRL - Pittsburgh Research Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  49
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20000137
• Citation:
  7th Joint Science Symposium on Occupational Safety and Health. Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania October 26-29, 1998. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1998 Oct; :49
• Contact Point Address:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1999
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  7th Joint Science Symposium on Occupational Safety and Health. Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania October 26-29, 1998
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bcbae47564036e95071c679ea1aa06a6326865cf7849fbc0e8ad887f658f689f33f2637c7004b3d7dfe2c327e5f8a6d4eb561b9743f231650b65ba314f48f9aa
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/220359/cdc_220359_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 60.00 KB ]