Design of Proximity Detection Zones to Prevent Striking and Pinning Fatalities Around Continuous Mining Machines

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bissert PT ; Carr, Jacob L. ; DuCarme, Joseph P. ; Smith A
• Description:
  The continuous mining machine is a key piece of equipment used in underground coal mining operations. Over the past several decades these machines have been involved in a number of mine worker fatalities. Proximity detection systems have been developed to avert hazards associated with operating continuous mining machines. Incorporating intelligent design into proximity detection systems allows workers greater freedom to position themselves to see visual cues or avoid other hazards such as haulage equipment or unsupported roof or ribs. However, intelligent systems must be as safe as conventional proximity detection systems. An evaluation of the 39 fatal accidents for which the Mine Safety and Health Administration has published fatality investigation reports was conducted to determine whether the accident may have been prevented by conventional or intelligent proximity. Multiple zone configurations for the intelligent systems were studied to determine how system performance might be affected by the zone configuration. Researchers found that 32 of the 39 fatalities (82%) may have been prevented by both conventional and intelligent proximity systems. These results indicate that, by properly configuring the zones of an intelligent proximity detection system, equivalent protection to a conventional system is possible. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accidental Falls Accidents Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Accident Analysis Accident Prevention Coal Mining Continuous Mining Control Systems Control Technology Equipment Design Equipment Testing Hazard Recognition Machine Operation Machine Operators Machine Safety Mining-industry Mining Equipment Mortality Data Mortality Studies Performance Capability Protective Equipment Proximity Detection Underground Mining Visual Aids

  More +
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• Publisher:
  Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Arizona ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PMRD - Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048275
• Citation:
  2016 SME Annual Meeting, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 16-013. Englewood, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2016 Feb; :1-5
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  2016 SME Annual Meeting, February 21-24, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, preprint 16-013
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d9abe3bf8c578e55433c24917d32c2eb52927c8122de81f2b3025207e74e60560b90267456d652f45764a84b88a69d30c22c98ef8eb2e22f70d4fea5839c2d9f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/228274/cdc_228274_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 225.42 KB ]