A summary of current Bureau research into the effects of whole-body vibration and shock on operators of underground mobile equipment
This report discusses current research by the U.S. Bureau of Mines on the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) and shock on underground mobile equipment operators. The highlights of a comprehensive literature review of WBV, shock, and seating are presented. Factors discussed include health and physiological effects, comfort, performance, and fatigue. Vibration data were collected from shuttle cars and ramcars at several underground coal mines in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. The data were formatted so that they could be used to drive the Bureau's motion platform, and to compare them with ANSI S3-1979, Guide for the Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration. Human subject testing in the Bureau's vibration research laboratory evaluated the effects of two different seat angles and of the presence or absence of vibration and of foam padding on heart rate, blood pressure, and subjective discomfort. Only vibration significantly increased heart rate and systolic and mean blood pressures. Vibration and a steel seat had a significant effect on subjective discomfort. The apparatus used for these tests and the experimental procedures are described in detail. Recommendations are made for additional research on the exposure of underground mining machine operators to WBV and shock.
- OSTI ID:
- 6018713
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COAL MINERS
BIOLOGICAL FATIGUE
PERFORMANCE
PHYSIOLOGY
MINING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
TRACKLESS VEHICLES
BLOOD PRESSURE
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
HUMAN FACTORS
IMPACT SHOCK
OPERATION
SHOCK WAVES
UNDERGROUND MINING
ANIMALS
EQUIPMENT
MAMMALS
MAN
MINERS
MINES
MINING
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
016000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Health & Safety
012033 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Underground Mining- Mine Environment- (1987-)