Assessment of Whole Body Vibration Exposure of Mining Operators in Opencast Mines

Abstract

In the mining industry, machine operators are exposed to whole body vibration (WBV), where the vibrations are transmitted throughout the body from vibrating machinery sources. There are numerous adverse health impacts associated with WBV exposure, which includes damage to the circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system and low back pain. The primary objective of the project was to measure the WBV exposure of the different heavy earth moving machineries (HEMM) operators at TRB iron ore mines, JSPL and Kusmunda, OCP of SECL. Other objective of the project was to determine the probable level of health risk of the HEMM operators in both the opencast mines. As there are no legislation or guidelines for vibration measurement in India, ISO 2631-1(1997) standard was followed for measuring WBV. A tri-axial seat pad accelerometer was placed under the HEMM operator/seat interface to record the WBV using Human Vibration Meter (HVM-100). To make the measurement duration of WBV identical, daily vibration exposure A (8) should be calculated. This was done using the measured RMS value obtains from HVM 100. Vibration Dose Value (VDV) for each operator was also calculated using obtained RMS value.
In TRB iron ore mines of JSPL, dozers produced high levels of vibration followed by dumpers, motor graders, loaders, and excavators. The WBV results showed that out of 17 HEMMs, vibration levels of 6 HEMMs exceeded higher A (8) value (0.90 m/s2 ) and VDV value (17 m/s1.75), 10 HEMMs exceeded medium A (8) value (0.45 m/s2 ) and VDV value (8.5 m/s1.75) and only one machine was below low exposure action value. It was also found that, 94.11% of the operators were exposed to vibration level higher than A (8) value (0.45 m/s2 ) and VDV value (8.5 m/s1.75 ) and 35% of the operators were exposed to vibration level higher than A (8) value (0.90 m/s2 ) and VDV value (17 m/s1.75). In Kusmunda OCP of SECL, loaders produced higher levels of vibration followed by dumpers, crane, motor graders, dozers, shovel and drill. The WBV results showed that out of 32 HEMMs, vibration levels of 12 HEMMs exceeded higher A (8) value (0.90 m/s2 ) and VDV value (17 m/s1.75), 15 HEMMs exceeded medium A (8) value (0.45 m/s2 ) and VDV value (8.5 m/s1.75) and 5 HEMMs were below low exposure action value (< 0.45 m/s2 ). It was also found that, 82.6% of the operators were exposed to vibration level higher than A (8) value (0.45 m/s2 ) and VDV value (8.5 m/s1.75) and 47.8% of the operators were exposed to vibration level higher than A (8) value (0.90 m/s2 ) and VDV value (17 m/s1.75). In both the mines, empty dumpers produced higher vibrationlevelsthan the loaded dumpers, astheweight ofthe dumperincreasedits vibration decreased.
This study can be useful to the mining officials to find the human vibration exposure of various machinery operators and their associated health risks in opencast mines. Early detection of vibration hazards can help taking preventive measures like rotation of work, proper maintenance of HEMM, proper maintenance of roads, and increasing awareness among employees.