Faculty Publications
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/18736
Publications by NITK Faculty
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Ergonomic Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Surface Mine Workers in India(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2021) Jeripotula, S.K.; Mangalpady, M.; Raj, G.R.Injuries due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are not uncommon in heavy industry like mining. Researchers acknowledged that occupational exposure to ergonomic risk factors is the chief causative factor in the development of WMSDs. The aim of this study was to perform an ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders among surface mine workers in India. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect subjective response from 500 workers. A stratified random sampling method according to surface mining work activity type was used to obtain the sample. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. A response rate of 85% was obtained out of 500 targeted groups. The WMSDs prevalence for the 12-month period was estimated to be 44.23%. The mean and standard deviation of workers’ age were 41.31and 8.927, respectively. The study has shown that the operators of dumpers, dozers, and graders along with electricians were found to be the most susceptible to develop WMSD problems. Among the most affected body parts, back disorder reported the highest. Further, it was found that working with static posture over the longer duration has a significant association with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.020) and bouncing and jarring has also significantly associated with the lower back disorder (with p = 0.023). Similarly, a significant association was found between repetitive work and neck pain (with p = 0.016). The study depicted a significant association between ergonomic hazards and WMSDs, like working with prolonged static posture, bouncing and jarring, and repetitive work. © 2020, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.Item Development of a Reliable Wireless Communication System to Monitor Environmental Parameters from Various Positions of Underground Mines to the Surface using ZigBee Modules(Springer, 2024) Kumar Reddy, S.K.; Naik, A.S.; Raj, G.R.The mining industry is known for its valuable minerals, and the way to get minerals is by mining below the surface. Many industries benefitted by adopting automation which has improved workplace operational management, enhanced safety, real-time monitoring, and cost-effectiveness. On the basis of challenges in underground mines, a reliable wireless communication and monitoring system is required in underground mines to enhance safety and prevent major hazards. Underground mine environments are affected by various environmental parameters such as toxic gases, flammable and inflammable gases, and dust. The variation in the presence of harmful gases is a major issue that causes gas explosions and damages the mine infrastructure. Currently, most underground mines adopted conventional multi-gas detectors to monitor mine gases manually at regular intervals or once a day. In this paper, a real-time data communication system to monitor mining parameters based on wireless ZigBee modules is established and evaluated in two different underground mines in India. A wireless message communication establishment process between two ZigBee modules is described in detail, and an investigation of radio range tests by measuring received signal strength indication (RSSI) parameters is carried out in the first underground mine site at level 3 with consideration of 10-m intervals apart at each test for the straight tunnel case. In addition, wireless communication is established to monitor the environmental parameters of underground mine levels to the surface. Further, established wireless communication to monitor the environmental parameters of the straight and curved tunnels of a second underground mine. The experimental result represents successful wireless communication between ZigBee modules with a distance of 100 m to 120 m in straight tunnels and a reduction in signal strength and data packet loss in curved tunnels of underground mines. In addition, the results show that the developed ZigBee-based system is suitable for measuring environmental parameters in open surface and underground mines. © The Institution of Engineers (India) 2023.