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LIST of the FIRECLAY MINES in the SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE DISTRICT

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118

Mr. Wales' Report.

REPORT on the WORKING of the MINES INSPECTION ACT (23 & 24 Vict. c. 151.) for the SOUTH WALES DISTRICT for the Year ended 31st December 1873.BY THOMAS E. WALES, Esq.

SIR,

Swansea, 20 March 1874.

As Inspector of Mines for the South Wales District, I have the honour to report as follows for the year ended 31st December 1873.

Owing to the great prosperity of the coal trade during the past year, the number of collieries at work as well as the quantity of coal raised was considerably increased. But notwithstanding this, I am happy in being able to report a diminution of 22 per cent. in the number of fatal accidents, and 25 per cent. in the number of lives lost as compared with the previous year :

Decrease in 1873

Total number of fatal accidents in 1872

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141
109

32

155

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Total number of lives lost in 1872

Decrease in 1873

The following monthly statement shows the time and circumstances under which the accidents occurred:-

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And the annexed tabular statement shows the number of persons employed and tons of coal raised per fatal accident, also the number of persons employed and tons of coal raised per life lost :-

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During the year eight explosions occurred, resulting in the loss of eleven lives, viz., seven in the loss of one life each and one in the loss of four lives.

Six out of the seven occurred where open lights were being used, and were due to a small quantity of gas having unexpectedly been met with in each case.

The seventh, which took place in the Gwendraeth Colliery on the 22nd of June, was caused by the deceased going into his stall with a naked light, which ignited a large quantity of gas accumulated there. The fireman, who discovered gas in the deceased's stall when making his morning's examination, omitted to place a proper danger signal at one of the roads leading thereto, to indicate to the deceased that he should not enter his stall. Such omission on his part was a violation of one of the special rules, which was duly reported to the Home Secretary. Proceedings were instituted against the manager of the colliery, and a fine of 57. was imposed.

The eighth explosion occurred in the Worcester Colliery, belonging to the Landore Siemens Steel Company, Limited, on the 29th of August, causing the loss of four lives. This colliery was worked for the most part with locked safety lamps, and from the evidence of several witnesses examined at the inquest it appeared that both the manager and the fireman had allowed the colliers to work where there was what they considered a small quantity of gas lodged, which by some means was exploded. This case was duly reported to the Home Secretary, and proceedings were instituted against the manager for a breach of the first general rule, in allowing gas to lodge in the said part of the colliery; and also against the fireman for a breach of the sixth general rule in not withdrawing the workmen until the gas had been cleared away. The manager was fined 107. and the fireman 15s.

Falls of Stone and Coal.

The total number of deaths from these causes is 62 as against 72 in 1872, which is a considerable decrease.

In former reports I have pointed out that the timbering or propping at the faces is, almost without exception, done by the colliers themselves, who, as they are not paid according to the quantity or number of props set, but according to the quantity of coal cut and sent out, do not, I fear, pay that amount of care and attention to the propping that they ought to do, their aim being rather to cut as much coal as they can.

During the time the present Act has been in operation, I have endeavoured to impress upon the managers the responsibility which No. 16. General Rule throws upon them.

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According to the "Official Circular" (Home Office) of November 28th, 1872, "The owner, agent, or manager may employ whomsoever they please to secure the roofs "and sides, but they cannot relieve themselves from the responsibility, in case the "work is not effectually done."

In examining a place after a fall either of coal or stone has taken place, it is often impossible to say whether there has been neglect or not, and as the parties from whom you have to elicit information, either during the examination or at the inquest, are interested, the great difficulty which attends the discovery of neglect under such a system, will, I think, be obvious to all.

If, as is the case in other districts, the timbering or propping were done by "deputies" (a class of men specially engaged in setting the timber) and not by the colliers the latter would be able to give evidence of neglect, if any had existed, or even to report it to the manager, and, if necessary, to the inspector, with a view to prevent accidents from falls of roof, &c.

With such a system as this the supervision of the whole colliery, both as regards ventilation, propping, and all other matters affecting the safety of the persons employed, would be much more efficient than under the present mode.

Shaft Accidents.

The number of deaths under this head is 18 as against 25 in 1872.

Three were killed in attempting to get into the cage after the signal to start had been given.

One was killed by being pushed against the cage when it was starting.

Seven were killed whilst engaged in sinking shafts.

Two were killed whilst they were getting out of the cages part way up the shaft where they had to "hitch" a few trams of coal.

Great danger always attends having two or more landings in one shaft, and wherever practicable such a plan ought to be avoided.

Two were killed by falling down whilst engaged in repairing shafts.

Two were killed at the Cae Cam Colliery, Loughor, whilst ascending the shaft after having completed certain repairs.

The two deceased were being raised by a crab or winch which was worked by two men, and when within a few yards of the surface one of the cog-wheels broke, and the deceased were precipitated to the bottom and killed.

The crab was not a proper machine for raising the two deceased, and the manager ought not to have allowed it to be used for such a purpose.

One was killed at the bottom of the shaft by another man falling upon him from the surface.

Miscellaneous Underground Accidents.

The number of deaths under this head is 20 as against 25 in 18'72.

Fourteen deaths were caused by being crushed by trams.

Two by ditto on engine planes.

One by an inundation of a small quantity of water from old workings.

One by the ignition of gunpowder whilst the deceased was engaged with the drillhole, the tools used being in accordance with the requirements of the Coal Mines Regulation Act.

One was killed by a strain whilst lifting a piece of coal.

Surface Accidents.

The number of deaths is five as against eight in the previous year.

Three deaths were caused by trucks.

One by a tram.

One by the deceased falling whilst engaged in carrying a piece of timber.

During the past year six prosecutions have been instituted for violations of the Coal Mines Regulation Act; viz.:

Against the manager of the Penrhiew Ceiber Colliery for raising men with a single linked chain. A fine of 5l. was imposed.

Against the manager of the Aberaman Colliery for not fencing machinery. A fine of 5s. was imposed.

Against the manager of the Lletty Shenkin Colliery for not fencing machinery. A fine of 57. was imposed.

Against the manager of Gwendraeth Colliery for defective ventilation. A fine of 57. was imposed.

Against the manager of Worcester Colliery for defective ventilation. A fine of 10. was imposed.

Against the fireman of Worcester Colliery for allowing men to work where gas was lodged in the roof. A fine of 15s. was imposed.

Ironstone Mines.

The number of men returned as having been employed in the Ironstone mines

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1,090

Tons. 183,278

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Total number of lives lost

One by a fall of mine ground.
One by a fall of roof.

The Right Honourable

R. A. Cross, M.P.,

Home Secretary,
Whitehall, London.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,
THOS. E. WALES.

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