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Job Breakdown Sheets

Breakdown No. 1

Using a Pick

1: Examine the pick.
2: Grasp the shaft.
3: Approach the coal or stone.
4: Strike the coal or stone.
5: Lever.

1: Examine the pick.

  (a) 
Make sure that the points of the blade are sharp.
  (b) 
Make sure that the shaft is smooth and not split in any way.
  (c) 
Make sure that the shaft is of suitable length and in a serviceable condition.
  (d) 
Knock the end of the shaft on the floor to make sure that the blade is firmly fixed to the shaft. If a wedge is used to secure the blade, see that it is firmly fixed and driven home tight.

2: Grasp the shaft.

  (a) 
If the pick is to be swung from over the right shoulder, grip the end of the shaft with the left hand. The grip should not be too tight. Place the right hand loosely about the shaft near the blade end.
  (b) 
If the pick is to be swung from over the left shoulder, grip the end of the shaft with the right hand and place the left hand close to the blade end.

3: Approach the coal or stone.

  (a) 
If the pick is to be swung over the right shoulder, slightly advance the left foot or knee towards the material. If the pick is to be swung from over the left shoulder, advance the right foot or knee.
  (b) 
Stand, kneel or lie where no loose stone or coal will fall. In steep seams stand in such a position that the coal falls away from you.
  (c) 
Look to see that there is room to swing the pick.

4: Strike the coal or stone.

  (a) 
Examine the coal or stone for breaks and aim the blade at some line of weakness in the material such as along the cleat or bedding plane.
  (b) 
When striking the material allow the hand nearest the blade to slide down the shaft gripping the shaft close to the lower hand just before the pick point makes contact with the material. Effective blows are more often directed sideways than directly at the face of the coal, so that coal may be split from the face and then pulled over.
  (c) 
Strike repeatedly until the material breaks. Care must be taken to avoid flying particles striking the eyes, as may happen when striking a hard floor.

5: Lever.

  (a) 
Insert the blade in the break behind the coal or stone to be moved. Do not attempt to free too much at one time.
  (b) 
Stand clear of the place into which the coal or stone is to fall.
  (c) 
Pull on the shaft, the shaft being at right angles to the coal or stone. By jerking the shaft the coal or stone may be pulled down. Do not exert too great a pressure on the shaft or it will break. Take a fresh position and make another attempt to free the coal or stone.
  (d) 
Use pinch bar to lever down large lumps of coal or stone. (See Breakdown No. 4, "Using a Pinch Bar".)

 

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