coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT OF MINES RODER­
ICK GIVES COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF
FATALITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The following is a letter sent to the bituminous
mine inspectors of Pennsylvania by Chief of the
Department of Mines James E. Roderick:
Dear Sir:—I beg to submit to you, and to all the
other inspectors, comparative statistics of accidents
in the bituminous mines for the years 1912
and 1913. The results in many of the districts
are very disappointing. The number of inspectors
having been increased, the number of mines
allotted to several of them having thereby been
considerably decreased, it was reasonable to look
for a better record for 1913, but instead there has
been a large increase in fatalities.
I shall expect an explanation as to the cause for
the great increase in accidents from falls, cars
ancl electricity. Some districts show a creditable
record, but it is not necessary to name either those
with a good record or those with a bad record;
the statistics herewith show each inspector where
he stands.
Serious disasters, such as the explosion at the
Cincinnati mine, will occur occasionally, but why
the accidents from falls should increase from 249
in 1912 to 313 in 1913, a difference of 25 per cent.,
and the accidents from electricity from 18 to 23,
a difference of 27 per cent., is hard to understand.
I desire in this connection to impress upon you
the necessity of keeping constantly on the alert to
see that all the mine officials as well as the mine
workers observe the provisions of the law relating
to safety. Not only must dangers from gas and
dust be avoided and guarded against, but the
workers must be impressed more forcibly with
the necessity for greater care in standing timber
in taking down the roof and coal, and in riding
on or being about mine cars; and they must be particularly
cautioned to avoid contact with electric
wires or other mediums through which fatal
shocks may be conveyed. If you can lessen accidents
from these causes much will be accomplished.
It is scarcely possible for many districts to
make as good a showing as the Third, Fourth,
Eighth, Tenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-seventh and
Twenty-eighth districts were fortunate enough to
make during 1913, as these districts, owing to
favorable conditions, always make good records;
but in the other districts the inside accidents
should be greatly reduced. The statement herewith
shows that several of the acknowledged dangerous
districts had but comparatively few accidents.
Please read this letter carefully and use your
best efforts to have accidents reduced, especially
from falls, cars and electricity.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 26
DISTRICT RECORDS.
First District—A decrease of 50 per cent, in
accidents by falls, 33 per cent, by cars and 50 per
cent. by electricity; 1912 by falls 14; by cars 6;
by electricity 2; 1913, by falls 7; by cars 6; by
electricity 1.
Second District—An increase of 33 per cent, in
accidents by falls and 25 per cent, by cars. No
accidents by electricity; 1912, by falls 22; by cars
4; by electricity 1; 1913, by falls 28; by ears 5;
by electricity 0.
Third District—A decrease of 14 pel cent, in
accidents by falls; no accidents by cars; 1912, by
falls 7: by cars 3; 1913, by falls 6; fry cars 0.
Fourth District—An increase of 300 per cent.
in accidents by falls; 1912, by falls 2; by cars 2;
1913, by falls 8: by cars 2.
Fifth District—A decrease of 40 per cent, in
accidents by falls and 60 per cent, by cars; 1912,
by falls 10; by cars 5; 1913, by falls fi; by cars 2.
Sixth District—A decrease of 7 per cent in accidents
by falls and 80 per cent, by cars; two accidents
by electricity; 1912, by falls 14; by cars 7;
1913, by falls 13; by cars 1; by electricity 2.
Seventh District—An increase of 16 per cent, in
accidents by falls and 50 per cent, by electricity;
1912, by falls 6; by cars 6; by electricity 2; 1913,
by falls 7: by cars 6; by electricity 3.
Eighth District—A decrease of 25 per cent, in
accidents by falls; 1912, by falls 4; by cars 0;
1913, by falls 3; by cars 0.
Ninth District—A decrease of 10 per cent, in
accidents by falls; an increase of 100 per cent, by
cars; no accidents by electricity; 1912, by falls
10; by cars 3; by electricity 1; 1913, by falls 9;
by cars 6; by electricity 0.
Tenth District—A decrease of 57 yer cent, in
accidents by falls and 50 per cent, by cars; one
accident by electricity; 1912, by falls 7; by cars
2; by electricity 0; 1913, by falls 3; by cars 1; byelectricity
1.
Eleventh District—An increase of 33 per cent, in
accidents by falls and 150 per cent, by cars; no
accidents by electricity; 1912, by falls 9; by cars
2; by electricity 1; 1913, by falls 12; by cars 5;
by electricity 0.
Twelfth District—An increase of 44 per cent, in
accidents by falls; two accidents by cars; 1912.
by falls 9; by cars fl; by electricity 1: 1913, byfalls
13; by cars 2; by electricity 1.
Thirteenth District—An increase of 40 per cent.
in accidents by falls; a decrease of 50 per cent.
by cars; no accidents by electricity; 1912, by falls
3; by cars 6; by electricity 2; 1913, by falls 7;
by cars 3; by electricity 0.
Fourteenth District—An increase of 66 per cent.