4
Table 1. Wearable health monitoring areas considerations for tahe mining industry
Types of Issues Current State Wearable Device Solution
Heat Stress WBGT used solely as an indicator for heat stress
is “deeply flawed” [5]
Continuously measures each individual TC depending on
inter-individual and intra-individual factors [6].
Physical Strain Wearable devices purporting to measure physical
strain could benefit from additional validation
[23].
Data can be anonymized and used by managers to plan
breaks and monitor fluctuations in HR and TC [24].
Respiratory Security monitoring systems cannot monitor all
environmental and chemical exposure parameters
collectively while considering a mine rescue’s
individual biometrics [20].
Gas sensors, alongside weather and intra-individual factors,
can be used to determine the amount of gas exposure.
Fatigue Chronic and non–chronic fatigue is not
monitored.
Chronic fatigue can be monitored by using the HR
variability [18]. For non-chronic fatigue, a questionnaire can
be used.
Environmental Several different devices are required to monitor
different health and safety measures, not
environmentally friendly.
Several sensors are included in one device, which can be
continuously re-used.
Ergonomics The industry is starting to recognize the potential
benefits of technology in enhancing worker
safety and overall operational efficiency
Sensors integrated into helmets, uniforms, and straps. [25].
Incident On average, nine mine workers die each year.
Trips, falls, and slips made up for 25% of claims
[1].
Can track live location and detect motion and send an alert
to the monitoring team [19].
Long-Term Trends
and Patterns
Health analysis is periodic in nature and heavily
depends on voluntary participation [1].
Continuous monitoring of both the environment and
individual is useful in the early detection of diseases and in
understanding how diseases form [21].
Figure 2. Images representing the technologies used within the trial. a) SafeGuard Live web view, b) SafeGuard Live tablet
view, SafeGuard Live, phone view, d) Polar Verity Sense heart rate monitor with armband, and e) RKI GX-3R Pro multi-gas
chemical sensor
Table 1. Wearable health monitoring areas considerations for tahe mining industry
Types of Issues Current State Wearable Device Solution
Heat Stress WBGT used solely as an indicator for heat stress
is “deeply flawed” [5]
Continuously measures each individual TC depending on
inter-individual and intra-individual factors [6].
Physical Strain Wearable devices purporting to measure physical
strain could benefit from additional validation
[23].
Data can be anonymized and used by managers to plan
breaks and monitor fluctuations in HR and TC [24].
Respiratory Security monitoring systems cannot monitor all
environmental and chemical exposure parameters
collectively while considering a mine rescue’s
individual biometrics [20].
Gas sensors, alongside weather and intra-individual factors,
can be used to determine the amount of gas exposure.
Fatigue Chronic and non–chronic fatigue is not
monitored.
Chronic fatigue can be monitored by using the HR
variability [18]. For non-chronic fatigue, a questionnaire can
be used.
Environmental Several different devices are required to monitor
different health and safety measures, not
environmentally friendly.
Several sensors are included in one device, which can be
continuously re-used.
Ergonomics The industry is starting to recognize the potential
benefits of technology in enhancing worker
safety and overall operational efficiency
Sensors integrated into helmets, uniforms, and straps. [25].
Incident On average, nine mine workers die each year.
Trips, falls, and slips made up for 25% of claims
[1].
Can track live location and detect motion and send an alert
to the monitoring team [19].
Long-Term Trends
and Patterns
Health analysis is periodic in nature and heavily
depends on voluntary participation [1].
Continuous monitoring of both the environment and
individual is useful in the early detection of diseases and in
understanding how diseases form [21].
Figure 2. Images representing the technologies used within the trial. a) SafeGuard Live web view, b) SafeGuard Live tablet
view, SafeGuard Live, phone view, d) Polar Verity Sense heart rate monitor with armband, and e) RKI GX-3R Pro multi-gas
chemical sensor