Due to confined space and poor illumination in the mine the maintenance activities are difficult to perform which in turn leads to increased down time, cost and injuries. This also influences the productivity of maintenance personnel owing to stresses generated due to increased psychological and physiological demand on them. However, the industry has paid much less attention to the design of the mining machine in initial phase itself with respect to maintainability parameters leading to low productivity, increased maintenance time and increased likelihood of accidents during maintenance and operation of such equipment. The objective of the paper is to present ergonomics factors such as; anthropometery, human sensory, physiological and psychological application in relation to maintainability design issues in mining in order to reduce occupational risk factors and improved maintainability of the mining equipments leading to increased productivity.
Godkänd; 2009; Bibliografisk uppgift: Sider: 483-491; 20091008 (ruku)