Solution Report

Increasing Safety in the Loading Area

Problem:
Close interactions between a shovel and
other equipment, such as dozers, in the
loading area resulted in an increased risk of
metal-to-metal contacts at a large surface
mine in Canada. The mine needed a way to
alert the shovel operator when another
piece of equipment was approaching the
shovel and when equipment was within the
critical boundary of the shovels swing
radius, without affecting productivity.
Background:
Loading operations at a surface mine can be
one of the highest risk activities for
equipment collisions. Cleanup equipment
must operate in close proximity to the
shovel or excavator in order to move loose
material out of the loading area. Haul trucks
back into the loading area near the shovel
using mirrors and often with the added
challenge of low visibility. Maintenance
equipment must also park near the shovel
for refueling or to perform necessary
lubrication and repairs.
Add to this the limited visibility that the
shovel operator has from the cab (Fig. 1)
and you have a significant risk of a collision
involving the shovel body swinging into
another vehicle or machine.
Preventing these incidents can impact more
than safety. Increasing the operators
Fig. 1 Blind areas (orange) near a hydraulic shovel
(NIOSH).

awareness of surrounding vehicles can
allow clean-up equipment to safely work
close to the shovel and allow trucks to
double-side load with a significantly
decreased risk of a collision.
Approach:
To solve this safety and productivity
challenge, SAFEmine applied their
ShovelAssist system that integrates multiple
technologies to provide an intelligent and
comprehensive collision avoidance solution
without cluttering the cab with displays.
Building on their successful GPS-based
Collision Avoidance and Traffic Awareness
technology, ShovelAssist adds cameras and
radar to the available tools that can assist
the operator in detecting equipment near
the shovel.
The SAFEmine Collision Avoidance System
(CAS) uses GPS and a vehicle-to-vehicle
radio network to provide vehicle and
equipment locations and their identification
numbers in an aerial view screen layout on
a touchscreen video display (Fig. 2). This
shows the operator the location of other
equipment and gives an audible and visual
reminder that a piece of equipment has
entered the boom swing radius of the
shovel. Alarms and detection zones can be
adapted according to vehicle type and the
mines operational parameters.
Six TrackingRadar sensors are mounted on
the shovel body to monitor close proximity
of equipment and personnel. This high-
accuracy detection system provides a more
intense warning to the shovel operator if
another vehicle is within the shovels body
swing radius. An indicator on the screen
identifies the radar unit that has detected
the vehicle or object (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 The ShovelAssist aerial view (TopView) indicates
the position of other vehicles and any radar unit(s) that is
activated.
Finally, up to four cameras are mounted on
the shovel to provide a view of blind areas.
These camera views are integrated into a
single ShovelAssist display screen (Fig. 3)
and the operator can touch the screen to
enlarge any view. Camera views can be
recorded and played back for near-miss
analysis and training.


Fig. 3 ShovelAssist integrates up to 4 cameras and an
aerial view of vehicle locations (TopView).
Summary:
SAFEmines ShovelAssist system integrates
GPS-based vehicle tracking information,
cameras, and radar into a unified and
comprehensive interface for shovel
operators. Now the operator is provided
with critical equipment proximity
information without overloading him or her
with multiple displays and alarm sources.
The system enables the operator to feel
reassured and in control when the shovel is
moving and rotating, which increases
operational efficiency and productivity.

Fig. 4 The ShovelAssist system enhances safety and
productivity in the loading area by assisting the operator in
monitoring the location of other equipment and vehicles.
ShovelAssist further includes: 2-way
alarming that provides both the shovel
operator and operators of nearby vehicles
with proximity alarms, intelligent video that
detects people or warns of a failed camera,
and TRACK that provides web-based real-
time vehicle tracking, reporting, and
messaging.
With over 16,000 systems installed at more
than 45 mining operations world-wide,
SAFEmines intelligent Collision Avoidance
and Traffic Awareness System significantly
increases safety for operators of all types of
equipment and light vehicles. ShovelAssist
expands the SAFEmine CAS, thus protecting
initial investments in safety and improving
efficiency of loading operations.
For more information:
info@safe-mine.com
www.safe-mine.com
20140120