Reducing injury risks associated with underground coal mining equipment

ACARP Project C14016

This project commenced in 2004 with funded from Xstrata Coal NSW, and continued 2005-2007 with support from the Australian Coal Association Research Program. The objectives of the project were: (i) to identify injury risks associated with the ergonomics of underground mining equipment through analysis of the full-text description of incidents involving underground equipment and audits of participating sites; (ii) to identify and evaluate existing control solutions through audits of participating sites; (iii) to identify and evaluate potential controls for outstanding issues through collaboration with all stakeholders; (iv) to develop a generic ergonomics risk assessment tool for application to new equipment; (v) to communicate the consolidated views of diverse mine sites to manufacturers; and (vi) to disseminate the results of the project to mine sites, engineering students, and manufacturers.

The final report includes a handbook titled “Reducing injury risks associated with underground coal mining equipment” as an Appendix. The forms provided in the handbook are available as a WORD document. The handbook is supplemented by an accompanying DVD. The project also included a seminar on October 17, 2006 in Pokobin.  Handouts of the slides are also available.

For further information or copies of the DVD and Handbook, contact:

Robin Burgess-Limerick PhD CPE (robin@burgess-limerick.com)