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. 2017 Dec;60(12):1739-1753.
doi: 10.1080/00140139.2017.1335885. Epub 2017 Jun 18.

Development of ergonomics audits for bagging, haul truck and maintenance and repair operations in mining

Patrick G Dempsey  1 , Jonisha Pollard  1 , William L Porter  1 , Alan Mayton  1 , John R Heberger  1 , Sean Gallagher  2 , Leanna Reardon  1 , Colin G Drury  3
Affiliations

Development of ergonomics audits for bagging, haul truck and maintenance and repair operations in mining

Patrick G Dempsey et al. Ergonomics. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

The development and testing of ergonomics and safety audits for small and bulk bag filling, haul truck and maintenance and repair operations in coal preparation and mineral processing plants found at surface mine sites is described. The content for the audits was derived from diverse sources of information on ergonomics and safety deficiencies including: analysis of injury, illness and fatality data and reports; task analysis; empirical laboratory studies of particular tasks; field studies and observations at mine sites; and maintenance records. These diverse sources of information were utilised to establish construct validity of the modular audits that were developed for use by mine safety personnel. User and interrater reliability testing was carried out prior to finalising the audits. The audits can be implemented using downloadable paper versions or with a free mobile NIOSH-developed Android application called ErgoMine. Practitioner Summary: The methodology used to develop ergonomics audits for three types of mining operations is described. Various sources of audit content are compared and contrasted to serve as a guide for developing ergonomics audits for other occupational contexts.

Keywords: Mining; audit; haulage vehicles; maintenance; observational method.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figures

Figure 9.1
Figure 9.1
The middle knuckle is the knuckle between the middle finger and the back of the hand.
Figure 9.2
Figure 9.2
When the worker is standing, the height of the hands is measured from the surface the worker is standing on to the highest position of the middle knuckle when performing the sealing task If the worker is sitting, the height is measured from the seat of the chair the worker is sitting on to the highest position of the middle knuckle.
Figure 9.3
Figure 9.3
Types of hand grips (left) and example of pinch grip during sealing (right).
Figure 9.4
Figure 9.4
Types of wrist postures (left). Wrist bending and deviating during sealing (right).
Figure 1
Figure 1
Structure of bagging audit modules.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structure of haul truck modules.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structure of maintenance and repair audit modules.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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