Perceptions and Usability of a Mining Vest

Abstract

As miners are expected to wear more and more equipment, space and capacity on their mining belt is becoming scarce. To combat this, several companies have recently developed vests for mining. We explored the usability, acceptance, and performance of one of the mining vests through a field evaluation. A total of 18 miners across various positions were recruited from high and med/low seam underground coal mines to wear a mining vest over a six-week period. Results confirm that comfort, especially related to overhead work, was a key factor to the usability of the vests, and comfort was a bigger factor in the lower seam mine than the higher. Reports of various other factors are included in this publication. Despite other concerns, the miners remained positive and interested in the concept of a mining vest, especially for certain occupations. With some modification, the mining vest could be an effective way to house the necessary equipment traditionally worn on a belt.