West Virginia University Mining Extension director James Dean – who was on hand at the West Virginia Coal Association Mining Symposium in Charleston, representing the Mine Safety Technology Task Force – said a review of the Nautilus proximity-detection device is tentatively scheduled for early April at Eastern Associated Coal’s Federal No. 2 operation.
Nautilus and Geosteering are two suppliers seeking MSHA approval of their second-generation proximity-detection systems. Matrix Design Group is seeking initial approval.
As with much in the realm of new and breaking technology, Dean noted the date estimate for evaluation could be pushed back or brought forward, depending on timing with the US Mine Safety and Health Administration approval, as well as other issues.
However, briefings are planned as the technology progresses, as he said the task force is has been in “recommendation mode” for the last year and is now submitting its input for consideration.
During the taskforce’s evaluation of the technology, it discovered that all prior underground testing involved just one person wearing a PWD, or personal wearable device.
Further, the proximity-detection systems on the equipped continuous miners were inactive while the cutterhead was engaged, and if the system developed issues with the device crews would continue operating anyway to avoid downtime.
Dean also noted that miners reported their proximity-detection system would be short circuited when the CM unit moved with the cutting head on. All of these factors have left the task force with the belief that its reliability is still difficult to judge.
The technology task force is working in partnership in the industry, he said, to look at a workable interface for proximity-detection systems, which must include effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction to be properly accepted and utilised in the underground community.
The task force is also conducting field evaluations on non-bolter place changes of CMs underground to review overall reliability and performance with multiple PWDs on workers.
Also under discussion by state officials at the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, is the potential for a proposed rule that would require an individual be present to assist in moving a continuous miner from place to place, serving as a cable handler.
Dean said the topic of proximity detection had seen much more attention of late after federal statistics showed an influx of remote control-related crushing accidents. While 31 have been reported since 1984. Of these, 14 have occurred since 2000.
Further data showed that machine operators were most at risk, having been involved with 22 of the 30 fatalities recorded, with more than half of the incidents occurring near the right rear of the machine.
