Mining Publication: Technology News 459 - Ergonomic Seat Reduces Shock for Low-Seam Shuttle Car Operators

• Ergonomics
• Shuttle cars
• Underground mining

Operators of underground mobile equipment, particularly shuttle cars, are often exposed to significant levels of shock and whole-body vibration. Past studies have reported that as many as one-third of underground equipment operators could be exposed to adverse levels of shock and whole -body vibration. Moreover, seats on mining equipment, historically, are inadequate relative to the ergonomic needs of the equipment operator. In the extreme, a mine vehicle seat has sometimes consisted of blocks of wood or a bent steel place bolted to the machine frame. Also, the lack of sufficient vertical clearance in some underground mines is an impediment to providing adequate shock isolation systems on mine equipment seats.