Modular Mining Systems, a market leader in real-time operations management solutions for mines worldwide, has formed a strategic partnership with Fatigue Management International (FMI). With this, Modular becomes the exclusive reseller of FMI technology and associated services to the industry, offering a comprehensive fatigue risk management solution that features industry-leading technology as well as professional consulting and training services. FMI, a British company, has worked closely with the Loughborough Sleep Research Centre (LSRC) at Loughborough University in the UK, in developing an unobtrusive driver fatigue monitoring device called ASTiD (“Advisory System for Tired Drivers”).
FMI has also compiled a comprehensive set of training courses and services for assisting companies in various industries to reduce the risk of driver fatigue-related accidents. Academic research and key personnel from the LSRC continue to support and work with FMI to improve the ASTiD system and deliver ever better solutions for managing fatigue risk.
Operator fatigue is considered a serious problem in the industry, implicated in up to 65% of all haulage truck accidents. Unlike other solutions in the marketplace, the ASTiD system measures the steering dynamics of the haul truck, and it uses sophisticated signal processing and modeling to determine the risk of fatigue-related impairment in real time. “Modular is committed to delivering solutions that increase the level of safety in the mine,” said Michael Lewis, Modular VP of Sales and Marketing. “Fatigue is of special interest due to its frequent involvement in heavy equipment accidents and incidents. Our partnership with FMI allows us to deliver state-of-the-art, unobtrusive fatigue detection technology as part of any IntelliMine® system.”
FMI is an organization of specialist workplace fatigue consultants and solution providers to the industry. FMI manufactures fatigue detection and vigilance technologies such as ASTiD and develops, implements, and manages fatigue programs for today’s 24/7 mine operations. Modular provides powerful information management solutions to meet the needs of both open-pit and underground mining operations worldwide. Modular sales and support offices are located in all key mining markets.