Development and Evaluation of a Urethane Jacketed Tail Roller for Continuous Mining Machines

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam K. Smith ◽  
David S. Yantek ◽  
J. Shawn Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Conveyor System ◽  
Continuous Mining ◽  
Enhance Wear Resistance ◽  
Steel Sleeve

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss continues to be one of the most pervasive health problems in the mining industry, despite over 25 years of regulation. One of the loudest pieces of equipment used in underground mining is the continuous mining machine. Noise sample data collected by the Mine Safety and Health Administration indicate that 42% of noise overexposures between 2000 and 2005 involved continuous mining machine operators. Previously conducted field and laboratory tests have determined that the continuous mining machine conveyor system is a dominant noise source. Loud impacts occur as the conveyor chain flight bars, used to move the mined aggregate, traverse their path from the top to the underside of the conveyor deck. Various noise control treatments have been applied to abate noise caused by the conveyor system. A durable polyurethane coating has been developed for the conveyor flight bars, resulting in a time-weighted average reduction of 3 dB(A) for an eight-hour work shift. In an attempt to further reduce continuous mining machine operator overexposures, a similar urethane coating has been applied to the tail roller component of the conveyor system. Laboratory results showed a 2 dB(A) reduction in sound power levels, but the component failed during underground durability testing. An outer steel sleeve has been added to the urethane coating of the tail roller to enhance wear resistance during mining. The urethane jacketed tail roller is the latest effort, combined with previous noise treatments, to bring the continuous mining machine into compliance with federal noise regulations.

Noise Source Identification on a Continuous Mining Machine

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo E. Camargo ◽  
Adam K. Smith ◽  
Peter G. Kovalchik ◽  
Rudy J. Matetic
Keyword(s):  
Noise Control ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Mining Equipment ◽  
Noise Sources ◽  
Continuous Mining

Noise Induced Hearing Loss is the most common occupational disease in the U.S. and of paramount importance in the mining industry. According to data for 2006 from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Continuous Miner operators accounted for 30.2% of underground mining equipment operators with noise doses exceeding the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). This figure becomes more significant considering that 49% of the 2006 national underground coal production was extracted using continuous mining methods. Thus, there is a clear need to reduce the sound radiated by Continuous Mining Machines. The first step towards efficient noise control of a Continuous Mining Machine requires identification of the various noise sources under controlled operating conditions. To this end, a 42-microphone phased array was used in conjunction with 4 reference microphones to sample the acoustic field of a machine in the Hemi-anechoic chamber of the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory. These data were processed using a frequency-domain beamforming algorithm to obtain acoustic maps of 5 sides of the machine. The focus of the test was on the conveyor noise since previous studies showed that operation of the conveyor is the most important contributor to the sound radiated by the machine. From the acoustic maps, the following potential areas for noise control were identified, and included: chain-tail-roller interaction, chain flight tip-side board interaction, and chain-upper deck interaction.

Dynamic Modeling System to Determine Stopping Distances of Mobile Underground Coal Equipment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. Jobes ◽  
Jacob Carr
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Modeling ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Detection Range ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Stopping Distance ◽  
Proximity Detection ◽  
Continuous Mining

In underground coal mines, miners face the hazard of being struck or pinned by a piece of mobile mining machinery. Proximity detection systems have been developed and are used by the industry to protect miners around these machines by detecting the presence of the miners and automatically issuing warnings or disabling machine motion when a miner is in potentially dangerous proximity. These systems were originally developed for continuous mining machines, slow-moving machines that move on bulldozer-style tracks, and are now mandated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to be used on continuous mining machines. These systems are now being adapted to other underground vehicles, such as shuttle cars, scoops, and battery haulers — vehicles that move on rubber tires at much higher speeds. There are concerns that the detection range of these systems may not provide for an adequate stopping distance on these faster moving machines. To address these concerns, researchers have developed a dynamic modeling system to determine the stopping distance of mobile underground coal equipment. This model can be used in conjunction with worker escapability data and/or information on interaction with other vehicles to provide insight into whether or not proximity detection systems will be adequate for the underground mining workplace. This paper details the background, development, and operation of the resulting application software, focusing on the utility of the graphical user interface to visualize the generated data. The refined data developed by this process can then be utilized by mine operators and proximity detection system manufacturers to more accurately determine the detection range needed to provide effective protection for miners working in an underground mining environment.

Badge-Type Noise Dosimeters Used in the Mining Industry

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Homer
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Measurement Accuracy ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Type Versus ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Laboratory Measurements ◽  
Type Design ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Influence Measurement

Currently, a number of manufacturers have developed and made commercially available badge-type (cordless) noise dosimeters. Previous studies conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) revealed that microphone size and placement/orientation significantly influence measurement error. The badge-type design houses the microphone within a significantly larger casing than does the traditional corded-type dosimeter. This presents concern that badge-type designs may significantly inhibit measurement accuracy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the casing of various badge-type dosimeters in order to discern conditions and assess the extent to which the badge-type design contributes toward measurement error in comparison with the traditionally used corded dosimeter. For this, a series of laboratory measurements were conducted employing various commercially available badge-type casings and corded counterparts. Corresponding results are summarized and extended to conclusions regarding the effect of microphone casing design, badge-type versus corded, on measurement accuracy for personal noise dosimetry.

Recent advances in remote coal mining machine sensing, guidance, and teleoperation

Robotica ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 513-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Ralston ◽  
D. W. Hainsworth ◽  
D. C. Reid ◽  
D. L. Anderson ◽  
R. J. McPhee
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Special Interest ◽  
Autonomous Systems ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Underground Mine ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Mining Equipment ◽  
Coal Mining Industry ◽  
Recent Advances

This paper presents some recent applications of sensing, guidance and telerobotic technology in the coal mining industry. Of special interest is the development of semi or fully autonomous systems to provide remote guidance and communications for coal mining equipment. We consider the use of radar and inertial based sensors in an attempt to solve the horizontal and lateral guidance problems associated with mining equipment automation. We also describe a novel teleoperated robot vehicle with unique communications capabilities, called the Numbat, which is used in underground mine safety and reconnaissance missions.

Evaluation of Mining Activities Using a Scenario Interview Approach

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 1108-1112
Author(s):  
Fred Turin ◽  
Lisa Steiner ◽  
Kim Cornelius
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Underground Coal Mining ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Safe Work ◽  
Mining Conditions ◽  
Continuous Mining ◽  
Machine Operator ◽  
Scenario Approach

NIOSH researchers have been examining underground coal mining activities in order to evaluate work crew hazards. In 1994 a continuous mining machine operator was killed by falling roof during extended cut mining. Many aspects of the incident were used by NIOSH researchers to develop a scenario interview. The goal was to provide a realistic framework for acquiring frank and detailed insights. The interview consists of two sections. The first describes the underground mining conditions. The second recounts the fatal incident. Each section is supplemented by a diagram and a set of questions addressing relevant safety issues. The interview was administered at three mines that actively take extended cuts. Researchers found the scenario approach to be an effective interview tool as well as an effective hazard awareness and safe work practices training platform.

scholarly journals Injuries associated with long working hours among employees in the US mining industry: risk factors and adverse outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee S Friedman ◽  
Kirsten S Almberg ◽  
Robert A Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Long Working Hours ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Multiple Injured ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Working Hour

ObjectivesThe mining industry is increasingly adopting extended workdays of 10–12 hour shifts. Studies demonstrate that long work hours are associated with psychomotor impairments caused by fatigue and an increased risk of injury. However, studies involving miners remain limited. This analysis aimed to identify risk factors associated with long working hour injuries and to determine if long working hour incidents were associated with being killed or incidents involving multiple injured workers.MethodsData from US Mine Safety and Health Administration Part 50 reports, 1983–2015, were used to identify long working hour injuries, which were defined as incidents occurring nine or more hours after the start of a shift.ResultsA total of 52 206 injuries (9.6%) occurred during long working hours. The proportion of long working hour injuries increased from 5.5% of all injuries in 1983 to its peak in 2015 at 13.9% (p<0.001). Risk factors associated with long working hour injuries included irregular shift starts, being newly employed, employment by a contractor, metal/non-metal operations and mines with <100 employees. In two separate adjusted models, long working hour injuries were associated with a higher odds of death (adjusted OR [aOR]=1.32; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.48) and single incidents resulting in two or more workers injured (aOR=1.73; 95% CI 1.58 to 1.89).ConclusionsLong working hour injuries were associated with a lack of routine, being new at the mine and specific mining activities. An international shift towards using contract labour and extended workdays indicates that injuries during long working hours will likely continue to grow as a problem in the mining industry.

scholarly journals Operational Tests of a Modular Installation and Transport Assembly of Steel Arch Support in Underground Excavations

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 343-354
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Krauze ◽  
Kamil Mucha ◽  
Tomasz Wydro ◽  
Andrzej Kutnik ◽  
Waldemar Hałas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Underground Mines ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
The Face ◽  
Continuous Mining ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Arch Support ◽  
Roof Support

Abstract The roof support, especially the ŁP yielding steel arch support, is transported and assembled in the face with the use of auxiliary machines. This activity in Polish underground mines causes numerous problems, which until present have not been solved. Currently, transport and assembly are carried out manually, while the roadheader and suspended rail are used only to a small extent. Therefore, the modular installation and transport assembly was developed jointly by FAMA Sp. z o. o. and AGH University of Science and Technology. The solution in question enables performing a number of functions (including transport and assembly of all kinds of support arches), which are not available in currently manufactured equipment. The proposed manipulator solves numerous problems occurring during the installation of the steel arch support in an underground mining excavation and significantly improves the process of drilling galleries. This innovative solution considerably differs from the existing ones, and its greatest advantage is versatility with regard to the cross-section and equipment of the roadway, as well as a wide range of functions. In addition, it can also be used for reloading works. The modular installation and transport assembly together with a platform, a temporary mechanized roof support and a mining machine, make up a mechanizes roadheader complex, which enables continuous mining, loading and installing the permanent support in underground workings.

A Safety Risk Evaluation of Vigilance Tasks in the U.S. Surface Mining Industry

1988 ◽  
Vol 32 (15) ◽  
pp. 990-994
Author(s):  
Stephen D. Hudock ◽  
James C. Duchon
Keyword(s):  
Mining Industry ◽  
Surface Mining ◽  
Mine Safety ◽  
Accident Risk ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Severity Level ◽  
Safety Risk ◽  
Accident Severity ◽  
Accident Data ◽  
The U.S

Due to the labor intensive nature of mining, the health, safety, and performance of miners is critical to the success of the industry. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has conducted research on accident risk associated with performance of vigilance tasks in surface mining occupations. Over one-third of all surface mining occupations were judged to require extreme to high levels of vigilance for proper task performance. Through accident data analysis of all reported mining accidents available on the Mine Safety and Health Administration accident data base for the year 1986, it was determined that the occupational accident severity level for those employed in high-vigilance surface mining jobs was about twice that for low-vigilance surface mining occupations, based on actual days lost and statutory days charged. This difference in accident severity level was analyzed with respect to the nature of the task activity involved. It was shown that accident severity is higher for employees in high vigilance groups, even for activities that only require low vigilance to perform. These findings support the conclusion that vigilance demands in mining represent a distinct safety risk which may persist for different types of tasks and activities.

An Investigation of the Mechanics and Noise Associated with Coal Cutting

1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Becker ◽  
G. R. Anderson ◽  
J. Kovac
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Cutting Tools ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cutting Speed ◽  
Cutting Parameters ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Mining Machine ◽  
Cutting Mechanics ◽  
Coal Cutting ◽  
Continuous Mining

The results of a laboratory investigation of coal cutting mechanics and noise are presented. These experiments were performed using a linear cutting apparatus that operates over a broad cutting speed range. The influence of several coal cutting parameters on the noise, force, productivity, and specific energy associated with linear cuts was ascertained. Some basic theoretical aspects of coal cutting mechanics and noise generation are discussed, and the results of the laboratory experiments are used to formulate analytical models of the coal cutting forces and noise. The analytical model for coal cutting noise is then generalized to account for the more important effects of rotary cutting. Based on the generalized model, an estimate of the sound pressure level at an operator’s position is made for a typical continuous mining machine. It is concluded that by employing linear rather than rotary cuts, using deeper depths of cut, slower cutting speeds, and more efficient cutting tools, it is possible to reduce the level of coal cutting noise, as well as provide benefits to other important areas of health and safety in underground mining.

The Nature of Mining-Induced Horizontal Displacement of Surface on the Example of Several Coal Mines

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 971-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Tajduś
Keyword(s):  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Horizontal Displacement ◽  
Surface Slope ◽  
Proportionality Coefficient ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Displacement Vectors ◽  
Mining Conditions ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Abstract The paper presents the analysis of the phenomenon of horizontal displacement of surface induced by underground mining exploitation. In the initial part, the basic theories describing horizontal displacement are discussed, followed by three illustrative examples of underground exploitation in varied mining conditions. It is argued that center of gravity (COG) method presented in the paper, hypothesis of Awierszyn and model studies carried out in Strata Mechanics Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences indicate the proportionality between vectors of horizontal displacement and the vector of surface slope. The differences practically relate to the value of proportionality coefficient B, whose estimated values in currently realized design projects for mining industry range between 0.23r to 0.42r for deep exploitations, whereas in the present article the values of 0.33r and 0.47r were obtained for two instances of shallow exploitation. Furthermore, observations on changes of horizontal displacement vectors with face advancement indicated the possibility of existence of COG zones above the mined-out field, which proved the conclusions of hitherto carried out research studies (Tajduś 2013).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document