Postural implications of obtaining line–of–sight for seated operators of underground mining load-haul-dump vehicles

Godwin, A.; Eger, T.; Salmoni, A.; Grenier, S.; Dunn, P.

Affiliations

¹School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudburg, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada

²School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada

³School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudburg, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada

⁴Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada

Abstract and keywords

Operators of load–haul–dump (LHD) vehicles use awkward postures that may be held statically and at extreme ranges of motion for long shift periods to spot hazards in underground mining. This study examined postural variables associated with three amounts of seat rotation intended to maximize line-of-sight during forward driving. Three different models, representing the 1st, 50th and 99th percentile male for height and weight, were positioned with appropriate hand and foot constraints in the virtual LHD cab modelled in Classic JACK v4.0. A total of 15 virtual movement strategies were developed to model the postural behaviour of typical workers and each virtual subject was tested, first with the seat in a neutral 0° position and then with it rotated counter-clockwise to 20° and 45°. Results revealed that reductions in trunk rotation, trunk lateral bend and neck rotation were associated with the seat rotation intervention. The general relationship observed was that as seat rotation increased, view of critical visual attention locations and visible line-of-sight area increased while postural load variables decreased. For the most part, 20° of seat rotation was beneficial but 45° produced significantly greater changes to postural load and visible visual attention locations.

Keywords: Seat rotation; Computer-aided design; Line-of-sight; Awkward posture; Jack

Links

DOI: 10.1080/00140130600951970

PubMed: 17419154

WoS: 000244180600003

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Cited By (8)

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.
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.
2008	Godwin AA, Eger TR, Salmoni AW, Dunn PG. Virtual design modifications yield line-of-sight improvements for LHD operators. Int J Ind Ergon. February 2008;38(2):202-210.
2008	Eger T, Stevenson J, Callaghan JP, Grenier S; VibRG. Predictions of health risks associated with the operation of load-haul-dump mining vehicles, II: evaluation of operator driving postures and associated postural loading. Int J Ind Ergon. 2008;38(9-10):801-815.
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.
2018	Knight CEJ. The Mediating Role of Mindfulness, Attention and Situational Awareness on Driving Performance in a Virtual Reality Underground Mine [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, ON: Laurentian University; 2018.
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.
2017	McKinnon CD. Axial Twist of the Lumbar Spine: Mechanical Responses to Twisted Postures and Potential Factors for Workplace Injury [PhD thesis]. University of Waterloo; 2017.