Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Publication: Improved Seat Reduces Jarring/Jolting for Operators of Low-Coal Shuttle Cars
Keywords: Back injuries Mine Safety and Health Administration Shock Shuttle cars Whole-body vibration
Original creation date: December 1999
Authors: AG Mayton, R Merkel, S Gallagher
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - December 1999
Download PDF Document (0.68 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023974
Min Eng 1999 Dec 51(12):52-56
Nearly one-third of the equipment operators in underground coal mines experience adverse levels of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV). Shuttle cars are major sources of WBV exposure, with operators being exposed to WBV and shock when the shuttle car travels over rough mine floors characterized by numerous bumps, ruts and potholes. In low coal mines, seat suspension systems are difficult to design because of space restrictions. The seriousness of prolonged exposure to WBV and shock is demonstrated by their connection to cumulative back, neck and abdominal disorders. For underground-equipment operators in New South Wales, Australia, the number of back injuries caused by vehicle jarring is equal to the number of back injuries caused by overexertion. Moreover, a review of the shuttle-car injuries recorded in the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA's) database for 1997 is revealing. Of the injuries pertaining to the back, neck and head, 57 of 100 resulted directly from the jarring of the seated operator while driving the vehicle. This number translates to 25% of the total shuttle-car injuries in 1997 that were related to jolting/jarring of the operator. With input from underground shuttle-car operators, this study addressed a component of WBV that is germane to underground mining: high-energy impacts or shocks. Shuttle-car operators complained largely about the jolting and jarring they experienced when traveling over rough bottom. Thus, the research focused on a means for better isolating the shuttle-car operator from the jolts and jars caused largely by the high-level, low-frequency, terrain-induced impacts. The approach was to develop an improved seat that incorporated more ergonomic design features and that would use viscoelastic foam padding as the principal way of isolating the shuttle-car operator from shock impacts.
Image of publication Improved Seat Reduces Jarring/Jolting for Operators of Low-Coal Shuttle CarsPeer Reviewed Journal Article - December 1999
Download PDF Document (0.68 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20023974
Min Eng 1999 Dec 51(12):52-56
See Also
Back Injury Control Measures for Manual Lifting and Seat Design
Biomechanical Modeling of Spinal Loading Due to Jarring and Jolting for Heavy Equipment Operators
Comfort Evaluation for Mine Shuttle Car Seat Designs
Comparison of Passive Seat Suspension with Different Configuration of Seat Pads and Active Seat Suspension
Ergonomic Seat With Viscoelastic Foam Reduces Shock on Underground Mobile Equipment
Job Design: An Effective Strategy for Reducing Back Injuries
Nature and Cost of Low Back Pain
Shock Reduction for Low-Coal Shuttle Car Operators Using Viscoelastic Seating Foam
Systematic Comparison of Different Seats on Shuttle Cars Used in Underground Coal Mines
Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Comparison of Seat Designs for Low- and Mid-Seam Shuttle Cars in Underground Coal Mines
Page last reviewed: July 21, 2015
Page last updated: July 21, 2015
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue