Open Cut » Health and Safety
This project focused on the development of a robust, continuous monitoring system for whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure in surface mobile equipment. Building on the findings of the earlier project, C26026, the work aims to overcome previously identified limitations associated with long term deployment of monitoring systems in harsh mining environments.
The project successfully designed and developed ruggedised hardware capable of reliably collecting WBV data in operational conditions. Key innovations include a compact onboard data hub utilising industrial grade components, the use of M12 connectors for durability and ease of maintenance, and a sensor configuration that allows accelerometers embedded within seat covers to be easily transferred between seats. This addresses a significant issue identified in prior research, where sensors were frequently lost during seat replacement or maintenance activities.
In addition to hardware development, the project implemented software solutions for real-time data visualisation and analysis. A Grafana-based interface enables monitoring of operator exposure metrics, including A(8) RMS and VDV(8), in accordance with ISO 2631-1 guidelines. The system also supports alert functionality to notify users of excessive exposure levels or reduced seat suspension performance. Furthermore, spatial mapping of vibration data allows for the identification of haul road segments contributing to elevated WBV exposure.
This project demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a durable, continuous WBV monitoring solution in mining environments. The system provides a practical foundation for improving operator health monitoring, identifying operational risks, and supporting data-driven maintenance and road management practices.