Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous ...

Official Document, No. 12.
FIFTH BITUMINOUS DISTEICT.
(FAYETTE AND SOMERSET COUNTIES.)
Uniontown, March 10, 1892.
Hod. Thomas J. Stewart, Secretary of Internal Affairs:
Sir: T have the honor of submitting" my report of the inspection of
mines of the Fifth bituminous district for the year ending- December
31, 1891.
The production of coke for the year was 3,117,831 tons, being- 840,663
tons less than in the year 1890.
The great strike in the Connellsville coke region which commenced
February 9 and continued until the middle of May was the cause of the
falling off in the production and was also the cause of the loss of several
lives and much destitution and suffering from which the region has not
yet fully recovered.
I am glad to report that the fatal accidents are 28 less, and the non-
fatal 6 less in number this year than they were in 1890.
The following is a list with their causes:
By falls of roof,
By mine wagons,
By mine lire,
By gas explosion,
By cages and falling down shaft,
By shot firing,
Total,
Fatal.
24
N on -fatal.
It will be observed that the majority of the accidents, both fatal and
non-fatal, occur in rib or pillar workings while the miners are engaged in
drawing their timber. In my opinion many of these accidents could be
prevented by having- a competent person (say one of the roadmen) appointed
to oversee this dangerous part of the work and allow no miner
to draw his timber unless such person is present.
21
15
42