C.C. Clark, et al., report that the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting research on jackleg use and related accidents in underground metal mines. This paper provides an analysis and overview of jackleg drill usage, accidents, operational characteristics and alternatives, based on information from injury reports, legacy research, stakeholder input and published literature. The results indicate that jackleg drills are involved in more groundfall accidents in underground metal mines than any other drill, and jackleg-drill-related injuries are most prevalent at the face in the course of installing initial ground support. Jackleg drill is a generic name for a handheld, rotary, percussion rock drill equipped with an attached reaction leg to provide stability and thrust. All of the drill and leg controls are located near the operator handle at the rear of the head portion of the drill. Jackleg drills are classified according to the bore size of their pneumatic pistons, which normally range from 6.03 to 8.26 cm (2.375 to 3.25 in.). Practical mechanized alternatives to jackleg drills for drilling and bolting under incomplete support in narrow underground openings have not yet been realized. Small, versatile mechanized bolting equipment needs to be developed to address jackleg-drill-related accidents and improve safety at mines where jackleg drills are being used. Although this practical drill has been used widely throughout the mining industry, a pattern of accidents and resulting injuries have been associated with its use. Over the years, several studies have been conducted at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address jackleg-drill-related injuries. This paper provides a review of jackleg drill usage and accidents based on injury statistics collected from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
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