Mining Machinery Downtimes and Operators' Attitudes on Safety and Health at Work: Example of Wheel Loader

Abstract

The paper presents the methodology of identification and analysis of stoppages in mining machinery. Methodological steps are aimed at isolating stoppages grouped by type of cause and summarized according to criteria: frequency of occurrence and down time in minutes. In addition to the set criteria, the paper also took into account the human factor, i.e. the operators of the observed mining machines. Mining machinery operators` attitudes were surveyed through a questionnaire covering several areas of occupational safety and health. The experimental part of the research included 13 mining machines, and then, on the example of a wheel loader, the key causes of down time were identified and the attitudes of the operators of this machine were analyzed in terms of aspects of occupational safety and health, because this mining machine had the longest down time in the sample. In the final deliberations, it was concluded that the organizational environment affects reduced safety and health at work, that is, that the accelerated work rhythm leads to negligent use of the machine and absence from safety procedures. Finally, research indicates that by work planning and organizing that does not impose an accelerated work rhythm, safety and health at work can be significantly improved.