Description

Explosions of Fire-damp.

There were two persons killed by explosions of fire-damp, and 48 injured. The first on the list was a fireman in Newlands pit. He went in to examine a mine, followed within 50 yards by three workmen. He carried a naked light as well as a safety lamp. It appears that from some cause or other fire damp had accumulated outside of where he usually left his naked light, and when he met the gas the explosion took place. He was killed and two of the others were injured. This accident was caused by the gross neglect of the sufferers in failing to observe the General and Special Rules. The deceased was the person, appointed in terms of the 2nd General Rule, whose duty it was to "inspect with a safety lamp that part of the mine," and also to see that "a workman shall not go to work in such part" until the same .... "are stated to be safe." The other three persons neglected the 53rd Special Rule, which states "they shall not proceed into travelling roads and working places until it shall have been reported by the fireman that they are safe to be entered."

Sources

• 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Scotland, East District by Ralph Moore, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 185 Where to find this report
• 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Scotland, East District by Ralph Moore, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 193, Accident Number: 1 Where to find this report

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