NOTES

Introduction

These baths have been provided by the National Coal Board and will be managed by them.

To get the best out of the building, you should read the following notes carefully. They explain, simply and briefly, the things provided at the baths for your comfort and convenience, and what you and your mates can do to co-operate with the stuff.

The baths are designed to give first-class service. You can be sure of getting it if you follow the simple routine explained here.

Bye-Laws

Bye-laws have been prepared covering the use of the baths. These deal with such points as the care of the premises, times of bathing, and "No Smoking." A copy of these bye-laws will be exhibited on the notice board. You should acquaint yourself with them and with any new bye-laws which may be made from time to time.

How You should Use the Baths

First Day -- Going to Work

On the day that the baths are first put into use go to work in your pit clothes. Take your clean clothes, soap and a towel with you in a parcel.

Go in at the "clean" entrance. There you will be given, in exchange for the bather's registration slip (attached to the front of this handbook), a key and a card with the number of your two lockers.

Go to the clean clothes Locker room and find the locker bearing the same number as your key. Hang your clean clothes and hat or cap on the fittings provided. Your boots and shoes should be placed in your locker in the place provided.

You should hang your overcoat in your locker on the hanger provided.

Then lock up, withdrawing the key carefully, and go to your pit clothes locker which has the same number and put your soap and towel in it. Lock it up and go to the pit entrance, there you can grease your boots and fill your water can. The lavatories are at this entrance.

First Day -- Returning from Work

After shift on the first day go in at the pit entrance.

Clean your boots under the revolving brushes before entering the pit clothes locker room. The white marks on the guard indicate the position of the brushes.

When you have undressed and hung your pit clothes and safety helmet in your pit locker, take your soap-tray, soap and towel, lock up, and go to the bath house.

In the bath house there is a slot on the shower fitting to hold your soap dish and there are places where you can put your towel and locker key.

The showers have been adjusted to give the best spread of water, so all you have to do is to turn them on. DO NOT interfere with the nozzles in any way; they are easily damaged.

It is a good idea to finish off with a cold shower to avoid catching a chill.

Try to keep bits of soap off the floor in the cubicle; they are dangerous to other bathers.

Take your towel, soap and soap dish to your clean clothes locker and leave them there for your next shift.

There is drinking water at the clean entrance.

After the First Day

From then onwards go to work in clean clothes, hang them up in your clean locker, take your soap, soap dish and towel, lock up and go to your pit clothes locker to dress for work, leaving soap dish, soap and towel ready there for your return.

Drying of Clothes

Heated air is driven through your lockers to dry the clothes, but it will only dry them if they are separately hung on the fittings provided so that the air can circulate freely round and through them. You should see that the bottom of your lockers are kept clean and that the boots are placed in the place provided.

If You Lose your Locker Key

If you mislay your key the baths attendant will open your lockers. DO NOT FORCE THEM OPEN. If you lose your key he can sell you a new one.

You can Buy Towels, Soap and Water Cans

Glass water bottles are dangerous and are not allowed in the baths. A notice will be posted on the notice board telling you where you can buy metal cans, towels and soap.

Get Cuts and Scratches Treated

Small injuries may be dressed, or redressed with a clean, dry dressing by the baths staff. The medical centre (or statutory first-aid room) will treat other injuries.

Keep Your Feet Healthy

After your shower dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.

If there is any irritation see the nurse or the first-aid man.

Get your pit socks and towel washed, mended and changed at least twice a week.

Use your pit boots only for pit work. The best way to keep your boots in good shape is explained below.

How to Take Care of Your Pit Boots

Grease new boots well before you use them.

Use boot grease whenever it is available at the pit entrance, and only before going down pit. Greasing your pit boots regularly keeps your feet dry, and makes your boots last longer.

Have your boots mended as soon as the soles begin to show signs of wear. The only safe place to dry off pit boots is in your pit clothes locker. Do not try to dry them in heat, or they will crack and become stiff and uncomfortable.

Help to Keep Baths Clean

The baths are disinfected and fumigated regularly.

They are designed to make cleaning easy — but you can help by leaving dirt outside the building, by using the door mats, and cleaning your boots at the pit entrance.

Above all, keep your lockers cleaned out. That is your job, not the attendant's.

There are wire baskets for waste paper and other refuse.

No Smoking !

Smoking inside the baths is absolutely prohibited.

This rule is made and enforced in everyone's interest.

Take Your Pay with You

If you take your pay into the baths carry it with you when you go to the showers. You are not allowed in the clean clothes locker room in your pit clothes, or in the pit clothes locker room in your clean clothes.

Lost Property : Suggestions : Notice Boards

Anything found in the baths should be handed in to the attendant.

Ask them if you lose anything.

Look at the notice boards; you will find important notices there from time to time.

If you have an idea for the better running of your baths write it down, sign it, and drop it in the suggestion box for consideration.