Understanding the Usefulness of Self-Escape Technologies in Underground Mining: Perspectives of Metal/Nonmetal Miners

Abstract

Research on mine self-escape often focuses on coal mining, while perspectives from underground metal/nonmetal miners remain understudied despite their distinct emergency response challenges and unique operating environments. Using a scenario-based survey approach, this study evaluated underground metal/nonmetal miners' perceptions of the usefulness of 18 hypothetical self-escape interventions and how these perceptions are influenced by worker characteristics. Employment type was the strongest predictor of usefulness ratings, with hourly employees rating several self-escape interventions significantly higher than salaried employees, including those related to improving self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) and tethered guidance systems. The data suggested potential trends where perceived usefulness increased with more time spent underground and decreased with higher education levels. While previous research found no relationship between these characteristics and coal miners' perceptions of self-escape technologies, our findings suggest these factors do influence metal/nonmetal miners' views. This work contributes to the broader understanding of human systems integration in mining self-escape, reinforcing the notion that technology priorities can differ by user groups, while acknowledging that certain core safety needs may transcend these differences.

Keywords: Human factors; Human systems integration; Human-centered designs; Mine safety; Self-escape; Underground metal and nonmetal mines.

Fig. 1

Methodological flow of the study evaluating perceptions of self-escape interventions among underground metal/nonmetal miners

Fig. 2

Mean usefulness rating of all 18 interventions, arranged in decreasing order (N = 46). Error bars represent two times the standard error