Cautions and instructions respecting the proper use of Safety Lamps, and Rules to be observed in conducting the working of the Haswell and Shotton Collieries.

In every part of the said Collieries where the Pillar-working, or Broken, is in operation, STATIONS will be fixed upon by the VIEWER, on the in-bye side of which no candles are to be taken. From those STATIONS, no Workman is to take a Safety-lamp for use in the Pillar-working, or Broken, without its having been first examined and securely locked by the Overman, Inspector, or Deputy. The Overman and Inspectors to have full power to direct the Workmen how to use their Safety-lamps during the time of working; and it is particularly enjoined that every Workman strictly attend to such directions. No Lamp to be used on which there is not a tin shield. None but the Overman, or similar Officer in authority, to be allowed to carry a lamp-key.

Should any accident happen to a Lamp whilst in use, by which the gauze is injured, or oil is spilt upon the gauze, or it be in any other way rendered unsafe, the light to be immediately extinguished by drawing the wick down within the tubs with the picker : such Lamp to be directly taken out to the STATION where the Lamps are examined, and not to be again used until after having been properly examined by the Overman or some other responsible person.

Should any Workman using a Safety-lamp detect, by the usual indications, the appearance or presence of fire-damp, he is first to pull down the wick with the picker, as before mentioned, and then to retreat to the Lamp Station, and give information of the same to the nearest responsible person ; it being strictly forbidden for any Workman to continue at his work in a place where the said indications of the presence of fire-damp are observed by him : and should the flame continue in the interior of the Lamp after drawing down the wick, the Lamp must be cautiously removed by the Workman ; but he is not to attempt to extinguish the flame by any other means.

Every Hewer, Putter, or other person to whom a Safety-lamp is intrusted, is hereby strictly prohibited from interfering in any way whatever with the Lamp, beyond the necessary trimming of the wick with the picker.

Should any Hewer, Putter, or any other person whatever, in charge of a Safety-lamp, in any case lose his light, he is to take it himself to the Station where the Lamps are examined, to Le re-lighted, examined, and locked, by the Overman or some other responsible person, before being again used

It is expressly directed that any person witnessing any improper treatment of the Safety-lamps, by any one, shall give immediate information to the Overman then in charge of the pit ; so that a recurrence of such conduct may be prevented, by the offending party being brought to justice.

Any person found smoking tobacco in any part of the said Collieries where the Safety lamp is used, will be liable to he fined or taken before a Magistrate, at the option of the Owners or Viewer of the said Collieries.

No Putter, Pony-driver, Helper-up, or other person, is, under any pretext whatever, to carry a lamp during his work : lamps will be hung along the going-roads, to afford sufficient light for the performance of the work.

The Overman, or Deputies, shall examine every working-place before the men commence working. The Overman, or Inspectors, daily examine the Board-end, and all other Stoppings ; also the Headways Courses, situated between the Pillar-working and the Whole-working, The Master-wasteman shall daily examine the Waste.

The Brattice, in every working-place, shall not, at any time, be further back from the face than 6 feet ; and if neglected, the party so neglecting will be held personally responsible. All Timber, &c., in the back-pillars shall not be drawn excepting with a Safety-lamp.

A Bankman to attend at the Pit every morning at calling-course and changing-time, to see that the Workmen get safely down the Pit. The number to ride or go down one cage never to exceed ten.

The Brakeman is ordered to go at a slow rate, during the time that Men or Boys are riding up or down the Shaft.

The Ropes, Chains, Shafts, &c to be daily examined by the Engineer and Shaftman.

In the event of any of the INSTRUCTIONS or RULES herein set forth not being attended to, it is particularly requested that whosoever may know of such neglect will instantly make complaint ; so that immediate measures may he taken for applying a remedy, and inflicting such penalties upon the parties so neglecting, as may be deemed necessary, or the Magistrates may order. And any person informing against any offending party, or parties, will, in every case, be handsomely rewarded.

Haswell Colliery Office, December 13, 1847.