Predictions of health risks associated with the operation of load-haul-dump mining vehicles, II:​ evaluation of operator driving postures and associated postural loading

Eger, T.; Stevenson, J.; Callaghan, J. P.; Grenier, S.; VibRG

Affiliations

¹School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ont., Canada P3E 2C6

²School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, Ont., Canada K7L 3N6

³Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada N2L 3G1

⁴Vibration Research Group, Laurentian University, IRSST, Queen's University, University of Western Ontario, MASHA and CSAO, Canada

Abstract and keywords

Driving posture and whole-body vibration (WBV) (reported in Part 1) were measured during the operation of seven load-haul-dump (LHD) mining vehicles. Simultaneous exposure to WBV and non-neutral postures could increase an LHD operator's risk of developing a musculoskeletal injury. The percentage of work time spent in neutral, moderate and severe neck rotation, trunk rotation, trunk flexion and trunk lateral bend postures was determined via a 3DMatch analysis of 1 h of videotaped driving for each LHD operator. Peak and cumulative spinal loads at the L4/L5 level also were estimated using 3DMatch. Operators averaged 89% of the time with their necks rotated more than 40°, 3% of the time with the trunk rotated more than 30°, 24% of the time with the trunk in forward flexion between 20° and 45°, and 16% of the time with the trunk in lateral bend between 15° and 30°. The average maximal compressive force (based on static measure estimations associated with posture only) at the L4/L5 level of the spine was 2176 N, and the cumulative compressive load for an 8-h work shift was 34 MN. A total injury risk score, which considered vibration exposure, working postures and spinal loading, was correlated with LHD operator musculoskeletal injury reports. Therefore, exposure to vibration and non-neutral working postures appears to increase musculoskeletal injury risk amongst LHD operators.

Relevance to industry: Equipment operators have the potential to be exposed to several factors that can contribute to the onset of adverse health effects. This study illustrates the importance of considering the combined impact of vibration exposure and non-neutral working postures in order to reduce injury risk associated with LHD vehicle operation.

Keywords: LHD vehicle; Asymmetric postures; 3DMatch; Cumulative spinal loading; Neck rotation

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2007.04.002

WoS: 000259845900017

History

Received: 2006-11-28

Revised: 2007-09-18

Accepted: 2007-09-29

Online: 2007-11-26

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Cited By (16)

Year	Entry
2013	Eger TR, Kociolek AM, Dickey JP. Comparing health risks to load-haul-dump vehicle operators exposed to whole-body vibration using EU Directive 2002/44EC, ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5. Minerals. 2013;3(1):16-35.
2008	Eger T, Dickey JP, Boileau P-É, Stevenson JM. Changes in seat-head whole-body vibration transmissibility and muscle activity under assymetric neck and trunk postures. In: Proceedings of the 2nd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 4-6, 2008; Chicago, IL.117-118.
2012	Eger T, Teefy S, Dickey JP. Paired-comparison study to determine the impact of rotated trunk/neck postures, and vibration exposure on seated comfort. In: Proceedings of the 4th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 13-15, 2012; Farmington, CT.60-61.
2012	Harnish C, Eger T, Godwin A, Dickey JP. Examining the impact of non-neutral sitting postures on vibration transmissibility from seat to head. In: Proceedings of the 4th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 13-15, 2012; Farmington, CT.62-63.
2017	Eger T. Whole-body vibration exposure and interventions in mining. In: 6th International Conference on Whole Body Vibration (WBV2017). June 19-21, 2017; Gothenburg, Sweden.24-29.
2017	Tarabini M, Giberti H, Corti F, Scaccabarozzi D, Saggin B, Eger T, Goggins K. Metrological characterization of low-cost systems for the evaluation of posture at the workplace. In: 6th International Conference on Whole Body Vibration (WBV2017). June 19-21, 2017; Gothenburg, Sweden.96-97.
2009	Godwin A, Eger T. Using virtual computer analysis to evaluate the potential use of a camera intervention on industrial machines with line-of-sight impairments. Int J Ind Ergon. January 2009;39(1):146-151.
2016	Goggins K, Godwin A, Lariviere C, Eger T. Study of the biodynamic response of the foot to vibration exposure. Occup Ergon. 2016;13(1):53-66.
2017	Schwabe N, Godwin A. Implications of articulating machinery on operator line of sight and efficacy of camera based proximity detection systems. Safety. September 2017;3(3):17.
2016	Godwin A, Schwabe N. Using a case study fatality to depict the limits of proximity detection systems for articulating, underground machinery. Safety Sci. August 2016;87:47-52.
2013	Goggins KA. Foot-Transmitted Vibration: Exposure Characteristics and the Biodynamic Response of the Foot [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, Ontario: Laurentian University; 2013.
2013	Singh P. Evaluation of Foot-Transmitted Vibration and Transmissibility Characteristics of Mining Boots and Insoles [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, Ontario: Laurentian University; 2013.
2020	Brunton A. Measuring Differences in Eye Glance Behaviour for Heavy Equipment Operators While Driving in Naturalistic Worksite Environments [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, ON: Laurentian University; 2020.
2009	Godwin AA. Investigating the Feasibility of New Methods for Analysis and Collection of Human Motion in Field Applications [PhD thesis]. Queen's University; April 2009.
2012	Jack RJ. Investigating Whole-Body Vibration Injuries in Forestry Skidder Operators: Combining Operator Vibration Exposures and Postures in the Field With Biodynamic Responses in the Laboratory [PhD thesis]. Guelph, ON: University of Guelph; January 2012.
2014	Jun Y. Evaluating the Similarity in Postures Between Forklift Operators in Virtual Reality and the Workplace [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2014.