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Mining Publication: A Method for Evaluating System Interactions in a Dynamic Work Environment

NOTE: This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. Contact NIOSH Mining if you need an accessible version.

Original creation date: January 1997

Image of publication A Method for Evaluating System Interactions in a Dynamic Work Environment

As technology evolves, accidents may occur because human-system interactions were not considered adequately in the process. A systematic methodology can be used to evaluate the causes of mishaps and to develop recommendations that will enhance safety. A recent trend observed in underground coal mining is used to illustrate this principle because an underground mine is a dynamic work environment. Mining is characterized not only by frequent geologic changes but by technologic evolution that can seriously degrade human performance and compromise worker health and safety. The case exemplified in this paper involves implementation of remotely controlled equipment for extended cut mining. Extended cut mining technology evolved with minimal ergonomic consideration even thought the change from on-board to remote machine operation dramatically modified the role of the human component. In response to concern that system interactions should be examined more closely, a methodology was developed to identify hazards.

Authors: LJ Steiner, FC Turin, KM Cornelius

Conference Paper - January 1997

NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20024649

Advances in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety II. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press and Ohmsha, 1997 Jan; :603-606


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