An investigation of underground haulage and transport systems. Final report on CEC Contract 7245-11/8/052

The primary aim of the investigations was to improve the design of new machinery through advice based on extensive studies of existing equipment. Two classes of underground haulage and transport systems were selected for study; locomotives and free-steered vehicles.A standardized machine evaluation procedure was developed covering workspace; seating; access; control location, layout, and design; displays; environmental aspects; work analysis; maintenance; and training.A number of techniques were modified and developed to permit the application of the procedure on mining transport systems, including control location zones and visibility assessment techniques.Results of the twenty-four individual machine studies indicated that the severely restricted workspaces and the operational characteristics of the equipment led to significant ergonomic limitations. The suggested ergonomic improvements ranged from minor modifications, feasible on existing machinery, to major design revisions, which were only likely to be achieved on new designs for similar equipment.Ergonomic Design Principles, based on the findings for both classes of machine have been produced as two separate documents for circulation amongst mining equipment manufacturers. These should enable the detailed consideration of ergonomics factors at an early stage in the design of new transport equipment. “”