Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

INSPECTORS OF MINES. 21
It will be noticed tliat since the resumption on the 23cl of June the principal
portion of those accidents took place consequent upon hurry and negligence
; that with ordinary care, and a proper discipline in managing the
collieries, very many of these accidents would be avoided. A large portion
of the coal of the region is mined by contractors. These men must
labor steadily in order to make a day's wages and be able to pay their assistants
and expenses. They commonly prepare the timber, props, sills,
rails, put down their own tracks, make their air-courses, and a number of
other jobs, besides cutting the coal, and unless he can succeed well in the
forenoon he cannot expect to do so in the afternoon. In view of this extraordinary
labor, things are hurried on to their utmost. Besides the daily
shipments, cars must be loaded and orders filled in a business-like manner,
that in a colliery where 300 or 400 persons are emploj'ed, the running of
loaded and empty trains and mining materials, it is not surprising to learn
of the many accidents that occurred in our mines.
To those not familiar with the amount of labor performed in our high
pitching Anthracite mines it would appear surprising, when it' is known
that an equal amount of rock, slate and refuse is handled to the amount of
coal produced, which is not the case in flat or Bituminous mines, to estimate
the waste at fifty millions of tqns is not out of the way, and of course
the risk to fatal accidents is equally occasioned tliereby.
A condensed exhibit of the fatal casualties in the district of Schuylkill in the
seven years ending December 31, 18T5.
Character op the Casualties. 1
rails of coal !
Falls of rocks and slate |
Falls ijito slopes, shafts and open breasts,
|
li'alls of timbers, props, etc 1
|
I
'
I
!
;
|
•
23
9
2
5
Explosions of fire-damp
7
Explosions of iJowder
Explosions of blasts and shots
7
2
Explosions of steam boilers
Crushed by wagons and timbers, etc
Falling off slope and shaft cages
Breaking of ropes and chains
Crushed in wheels and machinery
Crushed in the rollers
3
5
3
6
2
6
1
Suffocated by noxious gases j
In j ured by animals
Miscellaneous accidents 11
Total annual deaths , ;
'
Total annual maimed and injured
Total annual widows
92
308
39
Total annual orphans 141
Total I
1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871.! 1870. 1869. Total.
580
104
342
43
160
47
3
8
1
24
6
9
10
3
17
3