INTERNATIONAL mine safety authorities are raising concern over the affects of low-seam coal operations on miner’s knees.
These operations typically involve miners occupying space 1m or less in height which literally bring workers to their knees underground, and often for long periods of time.
The US Mine Safety and Health Administration has reported more than 50% of all knee musculoskeletal injuries occur in coal mining.
Industry officials say many miners are using kneepads to protect against the stresses applied to the joints when kneeling or crawling.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says healthy knees do not start and stop with kneepads and is urging for further research into the impacts and other possible solutions as well as development of a better kneepad for miners.
The group says keeping knees healthy is also a key aspect to reducing costs in low-seam mines as the industry battles rising health care costs, as well as the high costs of training and recruiting of replacement workers due to injury.
Add a comment