Reducing Back Injuries in Low-Coal Mines: Redesign of Materials-Handling Tasks [IC-9235]

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bobick, Thomas G. ; Gallagher S ; Unger, Richard L. ; Bobick, Thomas G. ; Gallagher S ; Unger, Richard L.
• Description:
  The effectiveness of ergonomic redesign of materials handling tasks in the prevention or reduction of back injuries in low underground coal mines was investigated. Materials handling problems specific to low coal mines were identified in a variety of ways, including a review of past accident reports, a task analysis, and observation of high risk jobs and activities. The most effective strategies for reducing materials handling back injuries in underground coal mines included the elimination of hazardous tasks, and the development of materials handling hardware. Ergonomic redesign changes that were in operation for a few months were reevaluated to confirm the effectiveness of the redesign. Another method employed in reducing back injuries involved matching the lifting demands of a job to the worker's lifting capabilities. Worker selection and training procedures were also alternative methods used to reduce the risk of worker injury. Intervention measures that were implemented by management included improving worker fitness, improved follow up and communication procedures, and early return to work programs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Coal Coal Mining Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Mining Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Accident-prevention; Back-injuries; Coal-miners; Humans; Materials-handling; Mining-industry; Task-performance; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Occupational-safety-programs; Work-practices
• Series:
  Mining Publications   ; Mining Publications  
• Subseries:
  Information Circular ; Information Circular
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Pamphlet or Booklet ; Pamphlet or Booklet
• 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:
  PRC - Pittsburgh Research Center ; PRC - Pittsburgh Research Center
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-38
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00211026 ; nn:10007382
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB90-265620
• Citation:
  Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 9235, 1990 Jan; :1-38
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1990
• NORA Priority Area:
  Disease and Injury: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities ; Disease and Injury: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 9235
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a8b31065385975cfbfc6080834560e2e984edecabb92d13d1f656ce2fc8a66a60e7da24a375e597cc97a1048741e6682cb6df580b33aa15aa8952639c251416d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/236045/cdc_236045_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.96 MB ]