Whole-body vibration associated with underground coal mining equipment in Australia. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lynas, Danellie; Burgess-Limerick, Robin
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 89(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Whole-body vibration -- Underground coal mine -- Shuttle car; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Environmental and logistical difficulties associated with obtaining whole-body vibration measurements from mobile equipment during operation in underground coal mines have hampered attempts to assess the potential vibration exposures associated with the use of such equipment. An alternative measurement technique was used to gather data from mobile equipment during normal operation at three low-methane coal mines and to estimate the possible magnitude of benefit of three control measures. 188 long duration measurements were obtained from shuttle cars (N = 142, median measurement duration = 3.2 h); personnel transport (N = 24, median measurement duration = 2.4 h); and materials transport vehicles (N = 22, median measurement duration = 1.8 h). Whole-body vibration amplitudes either within or exceeding the ISO health guidance caution zone were consistently measured. In particular, shuttle cars demonstrated whole-body vibration amplitudes which frequently exceeded the health guidance caution zone. The potential effects of roadway maintenance, decreased vehicle speed, and shuttle car seat replacement were found to be practically meaningful. Highlights: Obtaining whole-body vibration measurements from underground coal mines is difficult. An iOS application (WBV) installed on an iPod touch provides measurements which compare well to those obtained via gold standard devices. Shuttle car long duration measurements demonstrate accelerations, often exceeding the ISO2631.1 health guidance caution zone. Personnel transport vehicles demonstrate the benefits of regular roadway maintenance programs in exposure reductions. Personnel transport vehicle measurements demonstrate the effects of decreased vehicle speed on whole-body vibration exposures.