ErgoMine

Name: ErgoMine
Author: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Industry Professionals

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App Summary

ErgoMine is an ergonomics assessment tool for mining personnel to audit bagging, haul truck, and maintenance/repair operations and receive recommendations to reduce injury risks. The associated research describes the app's development, which used a multi-faceted approach including task analysis, workplace observations, and accepted practices to establish the content validity of the audits. The authors conclude this systematic process was effective for creating a practical tool to help mine sites identify and address ergonomic deficiencies.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism Developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), ErgoMine is a modular ergonomics audit system for the mining industry. The interface presents a series of questionnaires specific to bagging, haul truck, and maintenance/repair operations. The system captures input related to workplace design, material handling, and safety policies to evaluate ergonomic deficiencies. Following an audit, the platform automatically generates targeted recommendations and resources to mitigate risks of musculoskeletal injury.

Evidence & Research Context

The tool's design and modular structure for specific mining operations are detailed in an associated development protocol.
Content validity was established using a multi-faceted methodology that integrated task analysis, workplace observations, and review of injury and fatality surveillance data.
The system's development framework was adapted from a previously validated ergonomics audit tool (ERNAP) used in the aircraft maintenance industry.
The audit questions and recommendations are grounded in evidence from laboratory studies, field studies, consensus standards, and regulatory best practices.

Intended Use & Scope This system is intended for use by mine safety and health personnel without specialized ergonomics expertise. Its primary utility is as a worksite auditing and risk identification tool to inform improvements in job design and safety protocols. The platform provides structured recommendations and does not substitute for a comprehensive ergonomics program or consultation with a certified ergonomist.

Studies & Publications

2 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Development/Design Paper

Using Multiple Complementary Methods to Develop Ergonomics Audits for Mining Operations

Dempsey et al. (2012) · Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Describes the research-driven development of this app

Although ergonomics audits are commonly used by consultants, the scientific literature on reliable and valid audits is sparse. This paper describes a multi-faceted methodological approach to developing ergonomics audits for three types of mining operations. The approach was derived from a validated audit (Ergonomics Assessment Program (ERNAP)) for aircraft maintenance operations. While there were contextual, regulatory, and intended end user differences, the general approach to establishing content validity through task analysis and workplace observations, surveillance data, and accepted practices and regulations proved to be effective, albeit with modifications. Analysis of fatality reports and desire for integration with existing mining safety approaches were two areas where the current approach differed from ERNAP.

Development/Design Paper

Development of an Ergonomics Audit for Mining

National Institute et al. (2011) · NIOSH/CDC

Describes the research-driven development of this app

An ergonomics audit provides a snapshot in time of how well workplaces, equipment and tasks have been designed to prevent injuries. The purpose of the audit tool is to improve job design by providing suggested practices for reducing injury risks due to ergonomics deficiencies for: 1.) Bagging operations 2.) Haul trucks 3.) Maintenance and repair in preparation and minerals processing plants This audit tool will be provided in modules so users can tailor it to individual mine site needs. [Description provided by NIOSH]

In the Media

ErgoMine Mobile App

The CDC's NIOSH developed ErgoMine to address workplace safety hazards in mining operations, using comprehensive audits for slip, trip, and fall prevention along with musculoskeletal disorder risk assessments. The app covers bagging, haul truck, and maintenance operations at surface mining facilities, providing recommendations based on audit responses and allowing users to email findings to recipients of their choice. ErgoMine incorporates forms based on previous NIOSH publications and includes the Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptom Questionnaire for identifying worker symptoms.

CdcRead article

CORESafety TV (July 2021): New ErgoMine 2.0 App Helps Miners Conduct Ergonomics and Safety Audits

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed ErgoMine 2.0 to help mining professionals identify, record and track ergonomics and safety hazards that can lead to injuries, illnesses and fatalities at worksites, using a powerful on-the-ground auditing tool for iOS and Android devices. The app includes new audits, forms, checklists and "fix lists" that allow miners to easily access functionality on mobile devices or print PDFs for hard copy use. NIOSH Senior Service Fellow Mahiyar Nasarwanji serves as one of the primary contributors on this latest version of ErgoMine.

CoresafetyRead article

NIOSH Updates ErgoMine App

NIOSH developed ErgoMine 2.0 to help mine health and safety professionals identify, record, and track ergonomics and safety hazards at work sites, using forms that focus on hand tools, manual tasks, and ergonomic improvements. The app includes checklists to identify slip, trip, and fall hazards on walkways, stairways, and fixed ladders, while its new "fix list" manager allows users to track changes needed at their work sites using photos and text. ErgoMine can be used to audit bagging, haul truck, and maintenance and repair operations at surface mining and processing facilities.

AihaRead article

NIOSH Announces Release of ErgoMine 2.0 App Update

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) launched ErgoMine 2.0 to help mine workers and safety professionals identify, record, and track ergonomics and safety hazards that can lead to workplace injuries and fatalities. "ErgoMine 2.0 puts a powerful and easy to use auditing tool right where mining professionals need oneâin their hands," said NIOSH Associate Director for Mining Dr. Jessica Kogel. The updated app includes checklists for slip and fall hazards, musculoskeletal disorder evaluations, and a fix list manager to track needed worksite changes.

CdcRead article

Mining Ergonomics & MSDS Interview

NIOSH Mining developed ErgoMine to address ergonomic risk factors in mining that lead to musculoskeletal disorders, with Jonisha Pollard serving as the Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention Team Leader. Pollard presented on this topic at the recent MSHA TRAM conference, sharing expertise on "ergonomic risk factors in mining that lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)." NIOSH Mining created multiple mobile phone apps and interactive web-based tools to help create safer work conditions for miners throughout the US.

VectorsolutionsRead article

Ergo for miners: NIOSH releases assessment app

NIOSH developed ErgoMine to help miners assess ergonomics issues in three key mining tasks: bagging, maintenance and repair, and haul truck operations, using question-based modules that provide improvement recommendations. Researchers at NIOSH's Pittsburgh Mining Research Division created the app's audits using studies, injury and fatality data, consensus standards, regulations and best practices. NIOSH designed the audits for mine safety personnel without requiring ergonomics expertise, and the app is available for Android users.

SafetyandhealthmagazineRead article