Transcript QMI H & S Conference 2000

FATIGUE MONITORING DEVICE
FOR HAUL TRUCK OPERATORS
NICK MABBOTT - ARRB TRANSPORT RESEARCH LTD
KINDLY FUNDED BY
AUSTRALIAN COAL ASSOCIATION
RESEARCH PROGRAM
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
THIESS CONTRACTING LTD.
THE PROBLEM
• Fatigue has become recognised as a
contributing factor in workplace incidents
• Relationship between fatigue & the
combination of sleep, work periods & time of
day is complex
• Humans cannot predict sleep onset
• Personnel will not always comply with fatigue
management programs
THE CHALLENGE
• To find an appropriate, commercially
available device to detect the early
onset of fatigue
• To develop a suitable device for use in
haul trucks
• To scientifically test the concept of the
device
NEEDS TO MEET
• Need to overcome the fear that ‘big
brother’ is watching
• Need to get everyone involved
• Need for strict scientific controls
• Need to operate remotely due to
budget constraints and distance
THE SOLUTION
• A stimulus - reaction task capable of
early fatigue detection
• Concept based on slow reactions
indicating effects of fatigue
• Early warning to operator and
supervisor
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DEVICE TRIAL
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Burton & Mt Owen Coal Mines - Thiess
8 x Cat 789B & 793C haul trucks
16 personnel at each site
Collecting around 3,200 hours of realtime data
• Results will be reported in Dec 2000
THE FUTURE OF THE DEVICE
• Data showing that the device is
operating according to specifications
• Small data set indicating device is
warning of early fatigue onset
• Commercial version will be more user
friendly than test version
• Commercially available in 2001
BENEFITS TO MINING
• It will save lives and reduce injuries
• Reduce costs associated with
accidents, inc damage & down-time
• Data can be used to identify shifts &
rosters that place employees ‘at risk’
• The device will be a scientifically
proven and cost-effective solution
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Phone: (08) 9472 5544
Email: [email protected]
Talk to me while I’m still here
Thank you for your attention