An investigation of face end equipment and the resultant effects on work organisation. Final report on CEC Contract 6245-12/8/047

The purpose of this research was to identify any areas of face end equipment design and organization in which ergonomics could contribute, both to production and to the health and safety of the workforce, and to ensure, where possible, the implementation of such findings.Face end equipment design was considered at three levels: firstly, individual machine evaluations; secondly, sub-system studies, in which organizational aspects were also included; and thirdly, total face/face end system studies in which organization and sub-system interactions were given major consideration.Investigation techniques were adapted or specially developed for use underground or in surface simulations of underground environments. These include techniques for assessment of machine sightlines, workspace layout and task analysis, for subjective assessment of equipment development options, and for computer aided assessment of face designs.It was found that machines with similar functions and modes of operation could be considered as families of machines. Ergonomic evaluations of individual machines or machines within sub-systems were collated so that ergonomic principles could be established for each family of machines. These are of value in the design of new machines with similar functions.Ergonomic problems were identified for groups of machines which although independently designed were used together to form a sub-system activity at the face end.Design aids were produced for the evaluation of new faces (as well as the assessment of performance problems on existing faces) and for the assessment of the relative potential of engineering developments at an early stage in the design process.