Human Aspects of Automation and New Technology in Mining: Integrating People and Technology Through Human-Centred Design

This work explores human aspects of automation and new technology in coal mining, and how people and technology can be better integrated though the use of human centred design to help reduce safety and health risks.

Section 1 describes mining equipment automation and outlines the current prevalence of automation globally. It also presents the research project aims and introduces the use of Human Readiness Levels to assess risks associated with human interaction with technology.

Section 2 identifies and summarises new credible failure modes associated with autonomous systems currently used in mining. These are presented in detail in the accompanying project White Paper.

Section 3 outlines other data collected; a mining automation literature review, a database created of mining technologies and installations, technology case studies (e.g. operator alertness systems), data collected at coal mine sites who have recently introduced automation, leading practice in other domains and then a summary of relevant standards and guidance materials. From this, 12 key learnings for the human aspects of mining automation are presented.

Section 4 summarises a workable framework for Human-Systems Integration in automated mining. Building on work undertaken in defence, rail and aviation, this focuses on human systems integration for mining system acquisition and procurement for improvements to work productivity and efficiency. The human systems integration approach is presented in full in the project white paper.

Section 5 gives overall conclusions. These outline the potential for mining automation to reduce safety and health risks in light of the credible failure modes. Work to mitigate risks through using human-centred design is emphasised, in particular focusing on the importance of issues such as training, operator workload, interface design and by using human systems integration processes. Methods to better integrate the human element in mining automation for procurement and for site use are given.