Emerging Ergonomics Issues and Opportunities in Mining

Dempsey, Patrick G.; Kocher, Lydia; Nasarwanji, Mahiyar; Pollard, Jonisha P.; Whitson, Ashley

doi:10.3390/ijerph15112449

Cited by 21 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The results of such studies could provide suggestions about an “optimal” cutting length for logs, determining a better postural conditions for operators of manually fed wood-chippers. Indeed, in ergonomics, it is not enough to concentrate on the design of the machine, but it is important to intervene in the different components of human–machine interaction through a holistic approach, as widely documented in the literature and recommended by international standards [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper

Cremasco

Giustetto

Caffaro

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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The analysis of the postural attitude of workers during the interaction with workstation’s elements and working environment is essential in the evaluation and prevention of biomechanical overload risk in workplaces. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) are the two easiest methods for postural risk assessment in the workplace. Few studies investigated postural risk in forestry sector with regard to human–machine interaction, in particular manually fed wood-chippers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postures assumed by an operator during the manual feeding of a wood-chipper, and to compare RULA and REBA, in order to identify the more effective and appropriate method for the assessment of the risk of biomechanical postural overload. The results pointed out several postural issues of the upper limbs, and showed that RULA is a more precautionary method to protect operator’s health during the targeted tasks. Implications to improve the human–wood-chipper interaction are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper

Cremasco

Giustetto

Caffaro

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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“…Any transport or handling of a load by one or more employees, including lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving a load which, by reason of its characteristics or adverse ergonomic conditions, poses a risk to workers, in particular that of back injury The employer must take appropriate organizational measures or use appropriate means, mainly mechanical devices, to avoid manual handling of loads by workers. Where manual handling of loads is necessary, the employer must take appropriate organizational measures, use appropriate means, or provide workers with such means to limit the risk of manual handling of these loads [55,56].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Relevant Regulations, Requirements and Assessment Methods Concerning Physical Load in Workplaces in the Slovak Republic

Osvaldová

Sventeková

Malý

et al. 2021

Safety

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This review brings an overview of the Slovak regulations concerning occupational safety and health at work (OSH) primarily considering the parameter of physical load. In addition to regulations, this article focuses on particular requirements at workplaces with an increased physical load and describes the permissible values of the physical load (see tables). Attention is given to assessing the working posture and handling of loads. The main purpose of the evaluation is to determine the parameters of physical load, which is the first important step in the process of health risk assessment. Based on the physical load assessment and the categorization of tasks for the physical load factor in the Slovak Republic, further steps and measures should be taken to improve working conditions, to reduce the workload, number of health problems, fatigue, and ultimately to prevent accidents at work and work-related musculoskeletal diseases.

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“…Safety and pollution are positively correlated and adverse events are dominantly affected by human errors (Vega-Calderón et al, 2021;Mirzaei Aliabadi et al, 2018), while possible future avenues such as exoskeletons and body-worn sensors bring new risks and privacy, perception and acceptance issues (Spasojević-Brkić et al, 2015;Gorgey, 2018;Ghamari et al, 2022). Human errors are caused by numerous unsolved ergonomic issues and it is evident that mining machinery operators and shift/site managers are not satisfied at work (Dempsey et al, 2018;Lööw et al, 2018). As logical consequence there is lower productivity due to operator fatigue and discrepancies between behavioral characteristics and company's organizational culture (Parker et al, 2019;Han et al, 2020).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smart, ergonomic and sustainable mining machinery workplaces: An overview of the SmartMiner project

Spasojević-Brkić,

Mihajlović,

Nikolić

et al. 2024

XIX International May Conference on Strategic Management – IMCSM24 Proceedings - Zbornik Radova

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Despite being the oldest, the mining industry continues to be a major source of pollution, with more people killed or injured than in all other industries. Additionally, social tension related to this sector is widespread around the world, since mining businesses continue to have a significant negative influence on land, water, air, biota, and people through direct and indirect mechanisms. The mining machinery workplaces, which are in the focus of this study have the largest environmental footprint. The dominance of technology-centered design in present research streams is most likely the explanation for the lack of advancement in the mining industry. The SmartMiner project creates shift from technology-centered design and its concept creates solutions for improving the standard of environmental quality in complex systems and suggests a paradigm change to a Human and Data-Centric Engineering. By aligning advanced operator I4.0&5.0 and society S5.0 standards, the SmartMiner project develops solutions for raising the level of environmental quality in complex interactions between physical, behavioural, and organizational processes field. Proposed paradigm can be easily transferred to other industries. The safety of mining machinery operators in their immediate surroundings and their regular alignment with value chain stakeholders are the first steps in our original idea approval process. Research moves to the operator macro-environment, which is determined by organizational contextual factors, and is encompassed by the development of intelligent, ergonomic, non-invasive, and dependable operator aid systems for regulating physical environment job stressors-noise, human vibration, lighting, temperature, air quality, workplace layout issues, etc., with high potential to solve environmental and human health issues and to influence overall performance.

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Emerging Ergonomics Issues and Opportunities in Mining

Cited by 21 publications

References 54 publications

Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper

Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper

A Review of Relevant Regulations, Requirements and Assessment Methods Concerning Physical Load in Workplaces in the Slovak Republic

Smart, ergonomic and sustainable mining machinery workplaces: An overview of the SmartMiner project

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