The approach to mining safety improvement: Accident analysis of an underground machine operator

This paper presents the numerical approach to the safety and ergonomics issues regarding the biomechanics of the mining machine operator. Based on actual accidents, the authors analyzed the current requirements for protective structures in regard to operator safety aspects. The study found that the current type-approval tests do not examine phenomena related to typical accidents in underground mines, such as rock bursts resulting in thill uplift, lateral rock tosses, or cover caving. In many cases it may result in severe or fatal injuries of the mining machine operators. Thus, the authors incorporate a precise human model into operator safety tests and conducted numerical simulations by the use of the coupled Finite Element and MulitBody codes. To mitigate the injuries, the state-of-the-art seat absorber was implemented underneath a typical operator's seat. The device was designed to dissipate the kinetic energy during the process of rapid floor uplift and immediate velocity change from the cab to gallery roof impact. In order to compare the energy-dissipating capabilities of the absorber two approaches were selected for the same boundary conditions: a standard seat and seat with absorber mounted in the cab during the impact. The cab initial velocity was the main variable during the simulations. Finally, the injury criteria for the standard seat and the new approach with the energy-absorbing device were collated and contrasted.