Faculty Publications
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Item Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk in the Upper Extremities of Mobile Mining Equipment Operators Exposed to Hand-Transmitted Vibrations in Underground Metal Mines: a Case–Control Study(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2022) Sridhar, S.; Raj, M.G.; Mangalpady, M.Hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) exposure is associated with various health risks for operators of mobile mining equipment (MME). The case–control research was conducted to determine the musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks associated with exposure to HTVs in the exposed (case) and non-exposed (control) groups. HTV readings were measured at the interface between the hand and the steering device using the SV 105B triaxial hand accelerometer connected to the SV106 human vibration analyzer involving 40 MME operators in accordance with ISO 5349:2001 guidelines. A questionnaire survey was also carried out among both the study groups using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. The European Union's 2002/44/E.C. was used to assess the health risks posed to the MME operators. Twenty-eight out of the 40 MMEs were generating HTVs exceeding the stipulated daily limits of vibration, putting 70% of the operators at increased risk for developing MSDs. The case group was found to have an elevated risk of exposure with odds ratio (OR) 7.56 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.159, 49.39) and OR 12.80 (95% CI, 2.436, 67.285) times more likely than the control group to suffer discomfort in the left shoulder and left wrist, respectively, indicating increased risk of exposure to HTV. Additionally, cases had elevated risk associated with exposure to tobacco, OR 9.35(95% CI, 1.856, 47.129) compared to those who did not use tobacco. MSDs were more prevalent in the case group compared to the control group. This observation was validated by the field investigations and the responses of MME operators to the questionnaires. © 2022, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.Item Maximum Aerobic Capacity and Relative Aerobic Strain among Mobile Mine Equipment Operators in Underground Mines(Springer, 2023) Sridhar, S.; Raj, M.G.; Mangalpady, M.The maximum aerobic capacity and relative aerobic strain could be employed as indicators to establish a balance between work and individuals. Unfortunately, information about the physiological demands of mobile mine equipment operators working in underground mines is nearly nonexistent. The present research aimed to determine the maximum aerobic capacity and relative aerobic strain of the mobile mine equipment operators and assess their relationship with their age and body mass index. Forty operators involved in transporting ore, overburden, mine personnel, explosives, repair material, etc., were examined. The maximum aerobic capacity was determined indirectly using the heart rate of the operators. The mean aerobic capacity of the operators was 38.75 mL/kg/min, and the lowest mean aerobic capacity was found in LHD operators, 37.98 ± 3.93 mL/kg/min. The maximum aerobic capacity was negatively correlated with age and body mass index. Eleven out of 40 operators had relative aerobic strain exceeding 50% of the maximum aerobic capacity. The mean relative aerobic strain was 46.9 ± 5.54, and the highest mean relative aerobic strain of 49.37 ± 5.55 was found among LHD operators. The relative aerobic strain had a positive correlation with age and BMI. Knowing the operators’ maximal capacities while executing their tasks could be crucial in assessing the physiological demands of individuals working in underground mines in terms of acceptable work constraints. © 2022, The Institution of Engineers (India).