WVCA is working with the WV Mine Safety & Technology Task Force and the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) to establish a pilot program to use and properly test the use of proximity detection devices (PDD) on place-change continuous miners. PDD’s are designed to provide warning and shutoff capabilities for machine operators and others working in close proximity to mining equipment.
A proposed work plan is being developed by the parties to define the scope of the study, its objectives for PDD reliability, availability, operational functionality, overall performance, as well as developing a set of criteria and standards by which to evaluate and measure the objectives.