Rationalising postural demand of side discharge loading machine operators with respect to musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in underground coal mines in India Online publication date: Fri, 13-May-2016
by Gourab Dhara Sharma; Shibaji Dey; N.C. Dey
International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics (IJHFE), Vol. 4, No. 1, 2016
Abstract: Cardiac and postural strain of 12 healthy side discharge loader (SDL) operators is evaluated at varied depth of working during their actual work. A comparative statement is made on working heart rates (WHR), relative cardiac cost (RCC), net cardiac cost (NCC) and recovery heart rates (RHR) of miners. Mean WHR is within 132-138 bpm with a corresponding mean RCC between 43 and 46% for the one group of miners and about 34-37% for another group of miners. The job seemed to be 'heavy' to 'extremely heavy' in accordance with job heaviness scales. Existing heat stress in terms of effective temperature (ET) is above the recommended limits proposed by WHO in case of Mine A and ET value is within the recommended limits in Mine B. SDL operators in coal mines are exposed to excessive physical strain and heat stress. Therefore, ergonomic interventions are required to minimise such strain.
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