Ergonomics Expert Discusses Injuries Caused by Coal Mining Equipment

Case Overview

This case involves a man who suffered significant injuries from a roof bolting machine at a coalmine. As part of his job, he drove to and from the locations where he was to bolt or pin the roof of the underground mine. A canopy was attached over the operator cab of the roof bolter for safety. A handle was attached to the underside of the steel canopy close to the outer edge. As the man was driving the roof bolter, he held onto the handle attached to canopy with his left hand in order to remain inside the operator cab of the roof bolter. While holding on to the handle, a portion of the man’s hand extended past the outer edge of the overhead canopy. As he was backing the roof bolter around a coal pillar, the man’s left hand was severely injured when it came in contact with the corner of the pillar and was trapped between the canopy handle and the coal pillar. As a result his left pinky finger had to be amputated. It is alleged that the defendant negligently designed, assembled, manufactured and sold the roof bolter even though there was a danger for physical harm and injury to the operator.

Questions to the Mining expert and their responses

Do you have experience with the design, assembly and manufacturing of coal mining- roof bolters

I work on the design of underground coal mining equipment and develop Human Factors tools for use by mining equipment manufacturers and purchasers. I am intimately familiar with roof bolters and am probably one of the only people in the world that has studied their ergonomics.

Do you have knowledge of the safety protocols in place to ensure coal-mining equipment is safe- before it is sold?

It is critical that manufacturers take every precaution to prevent injury with the design of effective safety systems.

Do you have knowledge of accidents that can occur if coal-mining equipment is improperly designed/ assembled?

Roof bolters are inherently dangerous in many ways.

About the expert

This qualified expert has over 20 years of experience in human factors and workplace safety. He holds both a B.H.MS. in Human Movement Studies and a Ph.D. from the University of Queensland. Elected as a Fellow and also a past President of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia, he has received research funding for studying human factors in various industries including minerals industry. He has published over 80 refereed journal articles. He currently works as Professor of Human Factors and Deputy Director for the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre at a major university.