Study on ergonomics-related accidents in Chinese coal mine

Coal mining industry is a important economic sector for China, but over 250,000 coal miner deaths from 1949 through 2008, though significant decline and the fatalities has dropped from 6995 in 2002 to 3215 in 2008, the number remains high and unacceptable. Then accident cases are analyzed for a certain colliery group from 2005 to 2008, Human-related reasions account for a proportion of 34%, equipment-related fatalities account for 31%, others represent 35%, so human error and equipment deficiency are main reason for those accidents, and ergonomic approach is suggested for colliery accident prevention. At last, engineering-based or person-based approaches are analyzed, and the mian steps for ergonomic approach, risk identification, assessment, and control and so on, are all listed and explained. All those endeavors are helpful for chinese coal mine safey.