Hitting two birds with one emissions-based maintenance stone e A literature review on improving overall productivity of underground diesel fleets

Many industries regard occupational health and safety as a core value and an integral component to maintaining high productivity, and, thus, shareholder value. Diesel fleets’ engine maintenance is instrumental in ensuring affected workplaces meet production requirements while controlling health and safety hazards that these fleets introduce to the workplace. This systematic literature review focuses on production and occupational health and safety advantages associated with the implementation and adherence to an emissions-based maintenance (EBM) program. The literature review was conducted across eight databases relevant to workplace health and engineering. To be eligible for inclusion, the publication had to contain maintenance interventions that were informed by diesel engine emissions (DEE) data. Eight publications met the inclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was evaluated by applying the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance (AACODS) checklist [1]. There is a paucity in peer-reviewed EBM literature. Available research show evidence for productivity gains such as reduced DEE at the source, reduced fuel consumption, reduced worker exposure, and anecdotal evidence for extended exhaust aftertreatment (EAT) service life. There was no evidence that EBM improved fleet management (measured as fleet availability and reliability) or resulted in reduced underground dilution ventilation delivery.