Mining in focus
References
Republic of South Africa. 2014. Guideline
for the compilation of a mandatory code
of practice (COP) for risk-based fatigue
management at mines. Government Gazette
38339, 19 December. Pp.32–58. https://
www.gov.za/sites/default/files/38339_
gon1025.pdf.
Theron, W. 2015. Fatigue knowledge — A
safety management imperative. Presentation
delivered on 12 March at CoalSafe 2015,
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Theron, W.J. & Van Heerden, G.M.J. 2011.
Fatigue knowledge — a new lever in safety
management. The Journal of The Southern
African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
January, 111:1–10.
Get Home
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The World’s Most
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Williamson, A. & Feyer, A. 2000. Moderate
sleep deprivation produces impairments in
cognitive and motor performance equivalent
to legally prescribed levels of alcohol
intoxication. In Journal of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine, 57(10):649–655.
Using the system is as simple as
inserting the SmartCap Lifeband
to the headgear of the operator.
This is a high-quality wearable
device fitted with five high-tech,
sophisticated sensors that can read
the electrical brain activity (EEG)
of the wearer. This information
gives an accurate assessment of
the overall state of wakefulness of
the driver/operator. The Lifeband
is removable and can be fitted to
any type of headgear such as a cap,
beanie, or hard hat. Alternatively,
the Lifeband can simply be worn on
its own as a headband.
A second important element of the
SmartCap system is an in-cab display
unit that collects data wirelessly
(via Bluetooth) from the sensor
and displays it to the operator. By
proactively providing feedback to
the driver about their own fatigue
levels — before they fall asleep — the
SmartCap system lets operators
manage their own fatigue based on
accurate, predictive readings displayed
to them via the in-cab display.
The system can provide mine
operations with the data required
to implement company-wide
fatigue management programs.
Real-time information about
fatigue levels of equipment
operators and workers can be
remotely monitored using wireless
and/or cellular data networks. By
collecting and collating the data
available through the system, safety
managers and operations managers
can quantify the impact of fatigue
on both productivity and safety
performance.
Whether companies choose to
implement technology to assist
them in their fatigue management,
ultimately the aim is to ensure that
employees are educated regarding
the causes and symptoms of fatigue,
as well as the possible effects,
including increased incidence of
accidents and injuries. Noting —
and managing — their own fatigue
levels needs to become part of not
only the employee’s routine, but
also the site’s safety culture. b
JUNE 2018 MINING MIRROR
[25]
Contact Ramjack
Technology Solutions
for help eliminating fatigue
incidents from your mine.
[email protected]
+27 11 039 7423
www.ramjacktech.com