Long Wall Shearer Workflow Map

What this page helps you work out This guide helps you identify where your long wall shearer operations slow down due to manual administration, approval hold-ups, or inefficient handoffs between shifts. It shows how to spot repetitive tasks that take up valuable time and could be automated to improve accuracy and speed. Whether you manage teams, oversee safety checks, or coordinate daily activities, this page provides clear steps to streamline your workflows. By following these practical methods, you can reduce delays, improve communication, and make your mining processes more reliable and easier to manage.

How automation changes this role Automation reduces time spent on routine coordination tasks such as sending reminders, updating task statuses, managing approvals, and maintaining documentation. By handling these repetitive activities, it allows long wall shearers to focus on their core responsibilities like specialist operations, quality control, decision-making, and addressing unique site conditions. Automated workflows ensure timely communication and accurate reporting without adding complexity, helping teams stay aligned and reducing the risk of errors. This support streamlines daily processes while keeping the operator fully in control of critical and exception-based work.

Core workflows to map - Shift briefing preparation and distribution - Safety inspection scheduling and approval - Operational document version control and updates - Task assignment and status tracking during shifts - Incident reporting and follow-up review - Equipment maintenance requests and authorization - Handoffs between outgoing and incoming crews - Daily production reporting and performance review.

Example workflow map Workflow: Equipment maintenance requests and authorization 1. Submit request – Operators report equipment issues via a digital form. 2. Review request – Maintenance supervisors assess the request for validity and urgency. 3. Approve or reject – Authorized personnel approve or reject the maintenance request. 4. Schedule maintenance – Approved requests are assigned a maintenance date and technician. 5. Perform maintenance – Technicians complete the required repairs or servicing. 6. Confirm completion – Maintenance team updates the system to confirm task completion and close the request.

Task automation opportunities Automate intake forms for equipment issues, task creation for maintenance requests, automated reminders for pending approvals, file version checks for operational documents, approval routing for safety inspections, status updates during shifts, and basic daily production reporting. Assist with generating review-note summaries for incident follow-ups, client feedback summaries during performance reviews, and drafting handoff checklists between crews. Keep human-led tasks include final decision-making on approvals, conducting safety inspections, and direct communication during shift briefings and incident investigations.

What should stay human-led Final approval decisions require nuanced judgment of operational risks and compliance with safety standards that automated systems cannot fully assess. Conducting safety inspections demands on-site evaluation of equipment conditions and environmental factors. Direct communication during shift briefings and incident investigations is essential for interpreting complex situations, addressing crew concerns, and maintaining trust. Managing exceptions and adapting workflows based on real-time conditions ensures production quality and safety. These tasks rely on experienced personnel to balance technical requirements with team dynamics and regulatory obligations.

Automation opportunities to assess Shift briefing preparation and distribution should be evaluated for consistent content formats, clear task ownership, and timely data availability to ensure accurate and relevant information is shared. Safety inspection scheduling and approval require verification of approval rules, risk thresholds, and integration with compliance records to avoid missed hazards. Operational document version control and updates need checks on naming consistency, access permissions, and audit trails to maintain document integrity. Task assignment and status tracking during shifts must confirm handoff clarity, real-time update reliability, and defined responsibilities to prevent workflow gaps. Incident reporting and follow-up review should assess data quality, completeness, and review protocols to support effective resolution. Equipment maintenance requests and authorization require validation of request criteria, prioritization rules, and communication channels to minimize downtime risks.

Systems and data needed include standardized forms and templates to ensure consistent information capture, along with clearly defined naming conventions and version control protocols for document integrity. Task boards with real-time status updates and assigned ownership are essential for transparent workflow management. Approval rules must be established and integrated with risk and compliance data to enforce safety and operational standards. Reliable communication channels and permission settings are required to maintain secure and timely information flow. Comprehensive project data and audit trails support accountability and continuous improvement. These elements must be in place to enable safe, efficient automation that aligns with operational requirements and regulatory expectations.

Automation readiness scorecard Task repetition: High for equipment issue intake and maintenance requests. Process clarity: Well-defined for document control and task tracking. Data availability: Standardized forms and templates mostly in place. Approval complexity: Moderate to high due to safety and compliance considerations. Risk if wrong: Significant, especially in safety inspections and incident follow-ups. Tool integration needs: Requires real-time status boards, version control, and communication platforms. Overall automation readiness: Suitable for partial automation of routine data handling and reminders; critical decisions and inspections must remain human-led.