The Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, and Minister for Trade, the Honourable Stephen Robertson MP, was in Moranbah today to reveal new technology aimed at combating fatigue-related heavy vehicle driving incidents.
“The SmartCap, invented by CRCMining engineer Dr Daniel Bongers, is the first application of its kind to apply brain-monitoring technology to address the dangers of driver fatigue when operating heavy vehicles,” Mr Robertson said.
“This is an exciting development for the resources industry, enabling them to lift the bar on existing safety procedures associated with operating large trucks and other machinery.
“The SmartCap uses a number of sophisticated sensors to measure brain-wave information, and apply an independently-validated algorithm to identify when the wearer is experiencing symptoms of fatigue,” he said.
“Fatigue information is collected by microelectronics concealed within a standard baseball cap, and when a fatigue danger limit is reached a warning message is sent from the operator’s cap to an in-cab display, notifying them of the threat, and alerting them to the need to stop, rest and refresh,” Mr Robertson said.
This tool has been developed by CRCMining as part of an Australian Coal Association’s Research Program (ACARP) funded project.
Anglo American plc Chief Executive Cynthia Carroll was on site at both the Moranbah North and Capcoal mines today and said this technology was an exciting development for the mining industry.
“Anglo is looking forward to having its Australian coal mines host the SmartCap’s onsite application and is even more eager to see the results the technology returns,” Ms Carroll said.
“For many years the mining industry has been searching for mechanisms to assist in the detection of operator fatigue, to prevent fatalities and injuries.”
“The safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate is crucial for Anglo globally, and we are committed to our ultimate goal of Zero Harm,” she said.
“Fatigue in particular is one of the critical elements of our sites’ Target Zero Action Plans (TZAP), which address specific High Potential Incidents at each site and assign new procedures to eliminate them.
“Through the TZAPs, our priority has been to improve the safety of our heavy vehicle operators to ensure they do not experience dangerous “micro-sleeps” on the job,” Ms Carroll said.
“Due to limited technologies available, fatigue management has historically involved soft controls such as workforce awareness sessions on circadian rhythms, healthy lifestyles and dietary intake.
“The SmartCap is an important advancement in fatigue management because it will provide us with reliable, real-time monitoring technology,” Ms Carroll said.
CRCMining is an internationally-recognised mining research centre established by the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre’s program. The Centre’s purpose is to deliver a continual stream of safety and productivity enhancing technologies to the mining industry.
The SmartCap is now being taken to commercialisation with guidance and financial support from ACA.
For further information:
Aldo Pennini
Tel: 0407 592 260
Jacqui Strambi
Tel: 0439 774 526
Notes to Editors:
Anglo American plc, one of the world’s largest mining groups. With its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, it is a global leader in platinum group metals and diamonds, with significant interests in coal, base and ferrous metals, as well as an industrial minerals business. The Group is geographically diverse, with operations in Africa, Europe, South and North America, Australia and Asia.
www.angloamerican.com