Ergonomics and improvements to working conditions in mines

Ergonomics may contribute to the improvement of working conditions by identifying limitations imposed by the design of mining systems on the workman. Such limitations may require the workman to adopt poor working postures, less safe practices and less effective working procedures. The contribution to improvement can range from recommendations on individual machines through generalized principles of good practice to the development of standards, but in all cases a rigorous and effective approach to the evaluation of mining systems is necessary and such an approach is described. 6 refs.