Abstract

In mining industry safety is top priority. There is a request for safety management, risk prevention and operator training. Operator fatigue and distraction leads to dangerous situations. The paper is aimed at reviewing the issues of fatigued or distracted driver operation. This is achieved through creating models in occupational safety strategies. Hereafter the implementation of fatigue and distraction control system within a pilot project is discussed. The pilot project was aimed at collecting realistic operation data from mining industry in Europe. Caterpillar Inc. offers a solution called Driver Safety System (DSS). When driver’s micro-sleep is detected, the system alerts operator through different alarms directly. Dangerous events are also recorded and classified individually in 24/7 monitoring centre. The DSS was tested at European limestone open pit mine with typical working regime. This paper discusses theories, results and transferable insights of the study.

Highlights

  • Introduction to the subject Topics and concepts in the field of operational safety are of great importance in mining operations

  • The reason for this lies in the fact that industrial environment of extractive industry offers a variety of different hazards

  • These hazards may relate to both employees of mining company and the immediate environment, and to uninvolved third parties

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Summary

Investigation

Dangerous time Previous studies in similar environments showed that fatigue-related accidents should not be considered as a phenomenon of late work or night shifts. Circadian rhythms describe human performance for 24-hour day and is colloquially referred to as the "internal clock". According to these rhythms, human activity (performance) decreases in the afternoon hours [10]. Essentials The main objective of the investigations in the field of risk assessment related to fatigue and distraction accidents was determining their frequency. If quantitative assessment is impossible, the need for qualitative assessment arises In this field, vehicle/machine operator should evaluate himself his operating condition and arising related risks in each situation. A company must set and evaluate long-term safety objectives and strategies Such approach allows to outline boundaries/boundary conditions, when the need for response/mitigation actions and their scope become apparent

In-depth scheme: intervention thresholds
Presentation of the tripod theory in relation to fatigue
Summary of findings from the accident models and initial conclusion
Full Text
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