Developing effective proximity detection systems for underground coal mines

Abstract Over 80 fatalities have been caused by struck-by or pinning accidents involving continuous mining machinery and mobile equipment in underground coal mines since 1984. Proximity detection systems have been developed and are being mandated by MSHA to prevent future accidents involving these types of equipment. NIOSH began investigations that led to the development of electromagnetic proximity detection, named HASARD, in 2002. The research continued through development of intelligent proximity detection for continuous mining machines and is now focused on developing proximity detection system design guidelines for mobile equipment. All of this research has been published in detail as the work has progressed but there exists no summary or overview document. This book chapter compiles, in a single source, detailed documentation of NIOSH proximity detection research from HASARD to current work.