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Automated Systems and Trust: Mineworkers' Trust in Proximity Detection Systems for Mobile Machines.
LaTasha R Swanson1, Jennica L Bellanca1, Justin Helton1
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, USA.
Safety and Health at Work
|January 1, 2020
Summary
Mine workers' trust in proximity detection systems (PDSs) is influenced by their mine of employment and training. Understanding these factors is crucial for the safe integration of automated collision avoidance technologies in underground coal mines.
Area of Science:
- Mining Engineering
- Occupational Safety
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Worker-machine collisions remain a significant safety issue in underground coal mines, leading to injuries and fatalities.
- The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposed proximity detection systems (PDSs) for automated collision avoidance, prompting early adoption despite emerging safety concerns.
- Worker trust is a critical factor in the successful integration and safe use of automated technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of employment mine, worker demographics, and system type on trust in mobile machine PDSs.
- To examine the role of training methods and sources in influencing worker trust in PDSs.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed to explore factors influencing worker trust in PDSs.
- Data collection likely involved surveys and/or interviews with mine workers regarding their experiences with PDSs and training.
Main Results:
- The mine of employment significantly influenced workers' trust in PDSs.
- Hands-on and classroom training were the most common training modalities.
- The majority of workers (over 70%) received PDS training from their mine, compared to 36% from manufacturers.
Conclusions:
- Mine-specific organizational and physical characteristics are important considerations for the safe integration of PDSs.
- Further research may be needed to understand how to foster trust in PDSs across different mining environments.
