Mining Safety and Health Research at NIOSH Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2007) / Chapter Skim
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C NIOSH Mining Ergonomics Research Program Review
C NIOSH Mining Ergonomics Research Program Review
Pages 243-255
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From page 243... ...
Mining Program; a meeting with the mining program associate director, the acting director, and ergonomics researchers from the Pittsburgh and Spokane laboratories; and reviewing mining research program web sites from Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada along with relevant literature. STRATEgIC gOALS AND OBjECTIvES The Mining Program seeks to eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the mining industry via research and prevention activities in partnership with key stakeholders.
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From page 244... ...
Quantify job demands and physical capabilities of miners to develop improved recommendations for work design; and 2. Develop and field-test ergonomic interventions to reduce worker ex posure to musculoskeletal risk factors.
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From page 245... ...
More specifically, the focus is related to the strategic goal of reducing cumulative injuries such as workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. The major environmental factors include, for example, uneven surfaces, cramped conditions, noise, temperature, and lighting, which in turn have an impact on constrained and awkward postures, as well as exhaustion.
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From page 246... ...
There are impressive laboratories for ergonomics research in the Pittsburgh facility including motion analysis, strength testing, and a human performance research mine with access to mining equipment. Ergonomics researchers have effectively collaborated with other research groups within the Mining Program and with extramural partners to address overlapping issues.
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From page 247... ...
The research program moves between simulation studies, laboratory studies, and field studies. Examples of current NIOSH mining ergonomics laboratory and field research examples focus on the following: Enironment Researchers have recognized that not only is the workforce getting older but highly experienced miners are leaving the mine, leaving more inexperienced miners and mining engineers with increasingly long hours as production demands increase (due to high commodity prices)
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From page 248... ...
using awareness training and identifying engineering controls for the prevention of cumulative and acute traumatic injuries with a current focus on knee and back injuries. This area of research demonstrates the integration of the three research methods to focus on solving problems identified in the field and via surveillance: developing a biomechanical knee model and evaluating exit from equipment tasks and tread design
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From page 249... ...
-- depends on location of work height • 15 percent global adoption of low seam shuttle car design so far • Dragline workstation design, and testing -- now requested by equip ment companies and mines Exposure Assessment Tools • Low-back risk factor checklist development • Assessment of cab entry and exit risks for back and other overexertion risks • Cab design checklist for mobile equipment used by operating engineers
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From page 250... ...
and led to developing of improved LBP risk assessment tools. Review of Transfer Activities The ergonomics program appears to be very involved in dissemination of information and products based on its research and development activities.
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From page 251... ...
Examples of Intermediate Outcomes and Causal Impact NIOSH identified some 85 publications or presentations related to ergonomics and MSD risk identification, controls, or ergonomics program processes between 1996 and 2004. Examples of underlying work resulting in these publications include the following: • Ergonomics process adoption at large (N = 9,000)
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From page 252... ...
It proposes to accomplish this by continuing to integrate ergonomics process into existing health and safety programs and incorporating worker involvement in the process. If it is successful in widespread dissemination of the positive impacts of participatory ergonomics being implemented within health and safety programs, as well as widespread implementation of a number of control measures (e.g., low seam shuttle car seat)
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From page 253... ...
From the briefing materials, it appears that there were four epidemiologists and one ergonomist listed by scientific specialty in the Mining Program. It is unclear that any of the epidemiologists are working with the ergonomics group.
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From page 254... ...
2006b. Table R8: Incidence rates for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers by industry and selected events or exposures lead ing to injury or illness, 2005, All United States, private industry (for years 1996-2004)
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From page 255... ...
Nonfatal injury numbers and rates involving days away from work. Available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh2.toc.htm.
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