Underground Coal Mining Equipment Research Articles

Whole-body vibration associated with underground coal mining equipment in Australia

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.

Injuries Associated with Underground Coal Mining Equipment in Australia

In the 3 years to June 30, 2008, 4,633 injuries occurring underground at NSW (Australia) coal mines were reported to the insurer. Equipment was involved in 2149 of these injuries (46%). The narrative field accompanying these reports was examined to determine opportunities for controlling injury risks. The most common equipment types involved were: Continuous miner (12% of all underground injuries); Bolting machines (6%); LHD (8%); Longwall (7%); Personnel Transport (4%); and Shuttle Car (3%). The most common combinations of equipment and mechanism were: strains while handling items associated with continuous miner or bolting machines; strains, or being struck by, or caught between, while drilling or bolting on a continuous miner or bolting machine; driving or traveling over rough roads in a variety of equipment; being struck by while operating Longwall equipment. Rare, but high potential consequence events reported during the period included: interactions between personnel and mobile equipment; interactions between personnel and Longwall shield movements; transport equipment collisions. A range of potential short-term control measures for these risks have been identified, including monorails for continuous miner services; redesign of continuous miner platforms and bolting rigs to reduce reach distances during drilling and bolting; improvements to guarding of bolting controls; standardisation and shape coding of bolting controls; two handed fast-speed drilling & bolting; improvements in underground roadway maintenance, vehicle suspension, visibility and seating; and proximity detection devices interlocked with mobile equipment controls. Longer term control measures include automated bolting, and mesh placement, in conjunction with either non-line-of-sight remote control of, or automated, continuous mining machines.

Managing supply chain complexities and integration issues for competitive advantage: a comparative analysis

The basic decisions inherently important to SCM were showcased in an inspection of four relatively large manufacturing and/or firms headquartered in the metropolitan area of Pittsburgh, PA in terms of the supply complexities and integration issues associates with successful SCM included a publicly traded manufacturer of underground coal mining equipment and the associated aftermarket products, a diversified industrial manufacturer that operates in the truck, automotive, fluid power, and electrical segments, an over-the-road motor carrier specialising in the service of the steel and building materials industry, and a consulting and service provider of innovative business techniques and advances to reduce costs and streamline operations of its customers.

The development of a damped drill steel to reduce roof bolting machine drilling noise.

Among underground coal miners, hearing loss remains one of the most common occupational illnesses. In response, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research to reduce the noise emission of various underground coal mining equipment, an example of which is a roof bolting machine. Field studies support the premise that, on average, drilling noise is the loudest noise that a roof bolting machine operator would be exposed to and contributes significantly to the operators’ noise exposure. NIOSH has determined that the drill steel radiates a significant amount of noise during drilling. NIOSH has conducted research to evaluate a damped drill steel to reduce noise radiation. With this reduction in drilling noise, the noise exposure of the roof bolting machine operator is reduced. This paper documents the research to date of this damped drill steel. Laboratory testing confirms that the concept of a damped drilll steel reduces sound levels generated during drilling, and by extension, operator noise dose exposure.

A control suite to reduce roof bolting machine drilling noise.

Among underground coal miners, hearing loss remains one of the most common occupational illnesses. In response, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research to reduce the noise emission of various underground coal mining equipment, an example of which is a roof bolting machine. Field studies support the premise that, on average, drilling noise is the loudest noise that a roof bolting machine operator would be exposed to and contributes significantly to the operators’ noise exposure. NIOSH has determined that the drill steel radiates a significant amount of noise during drilling. NIOSH in collaboration with Corry Rubber Corporation has developed a suite of controls to reduce drilling noise which consists of a bit isolator, chuck isolator, and a Collabsible Drill Steel Enclosure. This control suite effectively reduces the noise radiated by the drill steel. Laboratory testing confirms that the control suite reduces sound pressure levels generated during drilling by 13 dB(A) at the operator’s location. As a result of this reduction in drilling noise, the noise exposure of the roof bolting machine operator is reduced.

Computer Design and Evaluation Tool for Illuminating Underground Coal-Mining Equipment

Computer Design and Evaluation Tool for Illuminating Underground Coal-Mining Equipment

SELECTION OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINING: AN EXPERT SYSTEM APPROACH

A feasibility prototype has been developed to provide support to decision makers in selecting mining equipment. The narrow domain of mobile underground coal mining equipment (for excavation and handling) was chosen for the study. The job of equipment selection is performed now by experts, who are both knowledgeable and experienced. Therefore, an expert system approach was used to develop the feasibility prototype — a simple catalogue selection problem. The system development process and the advantages of having such a knowledge-based system are discussed in this paper. This feasibility prototype can be deepened by adding modules for other equipment groups for underground coal mines and can be broadened by adding modules for surface coal mining and hard rock ore mining. Because equipment selection is an important component of mine planning and design, the availability of a knowledge-based system for equipment selection will enhanced the degree of sophistication of the mine planning and design activity.

Assessing visibility from underground coal mining equipment : Sanders, M.S. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 12–16 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 436–439

Assessing visibility from underground coal mining equipment : Sanders, M.S. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 25th Annual Meeting, Rochester, New York, 12–16 October 1981, Edited by Robert C. Sugarman, 1981, pp 436–439

Assessing Visibility from Underground Coal Mining Equipment

A task analytic approach was used to define information requirements and visual features which served as sources of information for operations of continuous miners, shuttle cars and scoops. Information requirements were prioritized and the location of visual features determined. From this analysis, visual attention locations, containing one or more important visual features, were identified. A procedure was developed for assessing whether operators in existing machines could be expected to see the visual attention locations. The procedure makes use of a Human Eye Reference Measurement Instrument (HERMI) designed for this project and an outside-in photographic procedure.