Abstract
Whole body vibration assessment was performed for 11 mining vehicles during regular operations at Suncor Oil Sands near Ft. McMurray, Canada. Vehicles included heavy haulage trucks, light trucks and earth moving machines (dozers, a grader and a bucket loader). Vibration severity and shock severity were assessed according to ISO 2631 using the root mean square (RMS) and crest factor methods. The BS 6841 vibration dose value (VDV) accumulated over a single 12-hour shift was estimated for an exposure duration of 6 hours and for the maximum anticipated duration of vehicle operation during a shift. Severe mechanical shocks with crest factors greater than 10 were observed for all vehicles except the supervisor's light truck. Motion profiles contained peak-to-peak shock amplitudes as large as 38 m·s−-2 in some vehicles. Vibration levels (RMS) exceeded the ISO 2631/1 guidelines for all vehicles except a new D10 dozer and the 789 heavy hauler. The recommended daily VDV was exceeded by all vehicles except the 789 hauler. Vehicles were ranked for relative severity of motion exposure to provide guidance in the planned integration of injured workers back into daily mine operations. Within each vehicle classification, the most favourable motion profiles were observed for the 789 heavy hauler, the new D10 dozer and the supervisor's light truck.
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