Human Factors Design Diversity

In 2019, EMESRT recognised that further problem definition work on this complex and broad reaching issues was required. This was the catalyst behind a successful funding application for ACARP Project C28034, led by Prof Burgess-Limerick from the University of Queensland with this scope.

Mining equipment human factors design for workforce diversity with these objectives:

• To identify and describe design issues with current mining equipment which are a barrier to workforce diversity
• To document and evaluate remedial control measures currently undertaken at sites
• To communicate the results of the investigation to equipment designers and mine sites

In 2020, the research project report was published with following significant observation: 

“The considerable consistency observed across focus groups and workshop observations undertaken during this project confirms that the concerns regarding the current design of mining equipment which prompted the project were justified in that aspects of earth moving equipment designs may unnecessarily restrict the range of potential employees who can operate and maintain the equipment, and in turn create elevated risks of injury for those who currently undertake tasks associated with operating and maintaining the equipment. The observations also confirm the concerns are not limited to one particular mine operator, mine site or original equipment manufacturer.”