Ergonomic Adjustment Needs of Transport and Mining Machines: A Preliminary Study of Operators' Attitudes in Serbia
Authors: Spasojevic Brkic Vesna , Misita Mirjana , Papic Neda , Brkic Aleksandar , Perišić Martina 
Published: June 2024

Previous studies suggests that accidents and/or incidents involving heavy machinery are unanticipated and unfortunate occurrences most frequently caused by human error. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the views held by operators of transport and mining machinery towards the ergonomic adjustment of their work environment to accommodate their specific needs. Namely, the aim of this paper is to analyze the various factors that contribute to the degradation of working conditions, leading to the emergence of occupational diseases and to the likelihood of accidents and incidents. In this research, the factors that influence the possibility of human error due to unfavorable workplace conditions, ergonomic characteristics of the cabin, the physical condition of the operator, job satisfaction and management commitment were analysed, as those factors are recognized by previous research.The research utilized a questionnaire tool to gather data from individuals operating machinery in the transportation and mining industries. There were 93 operators of transport and mining machines willing to participate in this survey, of which 65 were operators of various mining machines, while 28 operators worked on cranes. All surveyed crane operators have an average height in the range of 165-182 cm and a weight of 70-102 kg. Surveyed operators of mining machines have an average height in the range of 166-190 cm, but there are high deviations from the average weight, i.e. 9.23% of them have a weight of over 110 kg, that is, the weight is in the range of 60-150 kg. The examined machines included cranes with a span from 9 to 25 m and its load capacity from 10 to 160 tons, as well as excavators, bulldozers, drills, dumpers, backhoe loaders, bucket wheel excavators and loaders. The data was subsequently subjected to further analysis using descriptive statistics, cluster and principal component analysis. The study's results have provided evidence to support the initial premise, suggesting that human error is the primary cause of accidents and incidents involving transportation and mining machinery. The main cause factor, as perceived by a considerable majority of mining operators (79.9%) and crane operators (40%) is human error. The results suggest that there are differences in the ergonomic adjustment of workplaces of mining and transport machinery operators in manner that mining industry workplaces are better adjusted then transport industry workplaces.Cluster and principal components analysis led to the following conclusions. The key factors affecting the reduction of the quality of the working conditions of operators on mining machines are related to the seat rotation, absence from work due to poor working conditions (sick leave), nonadjustable armrests or non-existing armrests or armrests which are not set at the right height. The key factors that affect the quality of the crane operator's working conditions, are connected to characteristics of armrests (no armrests, armrests not at the right height, armrests are not adjustable), seat characteristics (seat height is not adjustable, seat is not adjustable horizontally, seat has not lumbar support, seat cannot recline, seat cannot be rotated), controls adjustment issues, the temperature in cabin regulation, visibility issues and to the absence of management commitment.A general recommendation as a measure to improve working conditions for operators of mining and transport machines is the usage of ergonomically adjusted seats with armrests. A proposal to introduce cameras that provide operators with better side and rear visibility could be considered, too, in aim to reduce the burden on the operator during reversing movements. In terms of management commitment, further focus on ergonomics climate is necessary to enable better working conditions for mining and transport machinery operators.Sample size enlargement is proposed as the future research avenue.