1873 - Old Forge Coal Mines

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 201
SAFETY OF MINERS.
One of the cardinal safety points for a miner lies in his proper submission
to the requirements of law and the rules laid down for the government
of the mine which he works in. The next is to be careful and circumspect
while at work, and study how he should do his work safely and understandingly,
as there can be no fixed limit to do away with coal mine accidents.
It should be the duty of those persons employed in coal mines to study
their personal safety, and in all cases to be submissive and respectful to
their officers ; this especially in collieries that generate gas, (fire-damp.)
As the experienced mariner dreads an old ship, so does a practical miner
an old colliery. We may class these dangers as follows : Falls of the superstratum
and coal, mishaps with powder, unnecessary haste, and above
all, explosive gas, and, after, or choke-damp. To prevent which it should
be the duty of the miner to carefully study the means and measures that
would prevent injury in each case, and never for a moment permit any advantage
to pass without he would use it to his profit, for the great spectacle •
is daily before his eyes in the number of casualties that occur. For this
reason we here submit a diagram, explanatory of the symbols, weights and
measures of the different forms assumed by the combination of the constituents
of gases, and the object is to direct the attention of miners and
bosses to this subject for their study and consideration.— Combustion of
coal, by J. G. Williams, of Liverpool.