Analysis of haulage-truck visibility hazards at metal and nonmetal surface mines, 1975

Truck haulage accidents are the greatest single-agent cause of fatal accidents at metal and nonmetal surface mines during the years 1972 through 1974. An analysis made of the driving visibility from most haulage trucks in use at several surface metal and nonmetal mines revealed that each truck has an operator visibility problem built into the configuration of truck cab and body. Vision obstruction is one of the contributing causes of the fatal and nonfatal accidents in which the operator: (1) drives the truck off the road and overturns; (2) drives the truck backwards over an embankment; (3) drives the truck over pedestrians; and (4) drives the truck forward or backward over smaller types of equipment. Other causes of obstructed vision are attributed to the existing weather conditions, dirty or broken windshields, and improperly marked haulage roads. The study reveals that visibility problems exist regardless of how or where haulage trucks are operating. The truck driver's vision is limited or obstructed by the many blind areas created by the design of the cab. The exhaust stacks, air cleaners, blower system, and other appurtenances usually found on the right side of the truck are placed in such a position that the operator's view is blocked.