Advancing Strategies to Reduce Worker Injury Risk on Mobile Mining Equipment

Abstract Improving mine worker safety and health is a key goal for the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Opportunities to enhance the safety and health of mobile mining equipment operators through strategies to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries is an important element of the overall NIOSH mining research program. This paper reviews various emerging technologies that, if fully developed and implemented, could positively impact the health and safety of mine workers who operate mobile mining equipment. Those technologies showing potential for enhancing operator safety and health in the near future are addressed herein.