Underground Mobile Trackless Equipment Visibility Investigation
| Principal investigator(s): | Alan W. Salmoni (Laurentian University) |
| Co-investigator(s): | Jim Cluff, Tammy Eger (Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association); Yves Lajoie (Laurentian University) |
| Institution: | Laurentian University |
For more information about this study please contact Dr. Alan W. Salmoni at e-mail: asalmoni@uwo.ca
Results
While all underground load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles have restricted lines of sight resulting in blind spots, larger machines and those with cabs have a greater number of visual impairments. Machine parts most problematic include: cabs, buckets, lights, and light brackets.
Visibility was judged by operators to be “poor” (at best) under all operating conditions. Fog and dust are environmental factors identified as problematic by operators, who also suggested that improvements to safety training could be made.
Using simulation techniques, it will be possible to evaluate design modifications for visibility problems without the need to physically access the machines. The study found that physical contrast (measured by several indices), and human factors (stress and sensitivity), affected perceptual judgements of visibility in low light conditions.
Conclusions
The study found that it would be advantageous to assess lines of sight using simulation techniques, particularly during the design stages of equipment manufacture. It also reinforces the need for safety training – for operators and pedestrians – to address the severe visibility restrictions present when operating LHDs.
Objective
The purpose of this research was to investigate visibility problems experienced by operators of underground LHD vehicles. More specifically, both assessment of potential design problems with LHD equipment and operator-reported problems with visibility were investigated.
Methods
The research involved four separate parts.
In Phase 1, lines of sight afforded by LHDs were physically measured and lines-of-sight diagrams were produced for 11 different LHD models. In Phase 2, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to over 100 LHD operators asking their opinions on operation visibility problems. Phase 3 studied the feasibility of using computer simulation to construct lines-of-sight diagrams. In Phase 4, simulation software was designed (“gray shade”) to measure contrast sensitivity and an initial experiment was run.
Publications
Tammy Eger, Alan Salmoni, Robert Whissell (2004), “Factors influencing load-haul-dump operator line of sight in underground mining.” Applied Ergonomics 35:93-103.
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