Functional workwear for miners working in the worlds largest underground mine : In what way can the future workwear for an extreme mine environment improve safety, facilitate the work flow as well as increase the comfort for workers situated more than 1045 meter below ground?

• Main Author: Müller, Malin
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Umeå universitet, Institutionen Designhögskolan 2014
• Subjects: Functional workwear; miners; underground mine
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-91808

PROBLEM This is my graduating thesis from the bachelor program in Industrial Design from Umeå Institute of design. In this project I have looked at in what way the future work wear for an extreme mine environment could improve safety, facilitate the workflow as well as increase the comfort for workers situated more than 1045 meters below ground. I have collaborated with LKAB in Kiruna, Sweden. LKAB is a mining company, exporting iron ore from the worlds largest underground iron ore mine. In the Kiruna mine, a new main level was recently opened at the level of 1365 meters. The extreme conditions down at this depth have created new challenges when it comes to work wear for the employees. METHODS AND FINDING RESULT During the project I have used several methods, all following a typical Industrial Design methodology. I started with visiting the mine, having a look at the entire process and talking to workes. After this I wrote a brief for the project, containing information on what the problem is today. I made an other trip to the mine to host a Pin-Point meeting and a workshop together with workers from different positions and work places within the mine. This to gain a further and more specific understanding in the problem -s. The workshop I hosted was to see what they themselves thought would be good solutions. Other methods I've used is survey, sketch ideation, evaluations with users, interviews, observations, visits to manufacturers, visit to the industrial wash / warehouse and mock-ups. I divided the problems in to categories: The fit of the clothes Ability to carry tools Material Functions / Adjustments The project has resulted in a concept of a new trouser and a new jacket for the workers at the LKAB iron or mine in Kiruna. The garments are of a lighter more durable material than the garments used today. The jacket and the trouser have now more specific pockets and are placed in better positions than earlier. I also tried to place seams better, this to avoid any discomfort and work related injuries. One of the problems today was that the jacket for some, created a pressure over the neck. I've added adjustment possibilities to the garments and inserted "softed" materials in some places to increase level of comfort. The result is portrayed as a full size model, in a women’s fit. RESULT The project has resulted in a concept of a new trouser and a new jacket for the workers at the LKAB iron or mine in Kiruna. The garments are of a lighter more durable material than the garments used today. The jacket and the trouser have now more specific pockets and are placed in better positions than earlier. I also tried to place seams better, this to avoid any discomfort and work related injuries. One of the problems today was that the jacket for some, created a pressure over the neck. I've added adjustment possibilities to the garments and inserted "softed" materials in some places to increase level of comfort. The result is portrayed as a full size model, in a women’s fit.