Description

Number 1 n the list occurred at the Grange Quarry, in the county of Durham, on January 2nd, at about 7.30 a.m., causing the death of George Beardwell, a foreman quarryman.

This accident occurred on the first working day on which the Quarries Act was in force, and was caused by the deceased man carelessly thawing an explosive known stenite.

The weather at the time was very severe, and the frost, no doubt, had frozen the cartridges, and instead of using a proper warming pan, he had placed some either before the fire or on to the hot metal plate above the stove, and at intervals had been working them between his fingers, when an explosion occurred, causing such terrible injuries to deceased that he died about three hours afterwards.

It was stated in evidence at the inquest that he had been supplied with a warming pan, but he said it was too big, and would, therefore, not use it. A smaller one was ordered, but could not be got, as they were not inside this country.

Printed instructions were sent with the explosives by the makers for unfreezing the cartridges, which stated that it should only be done in a proper warming pan.

This is another case of a fatal accident occurring which it should never have been my painful duty to report ; the unfortunate man lost his life by recklessness. I cannot for one moment comprehend how any man, in his senses, can be guilty of which carelessness in the handling of explosives, as a fatal result is sure sooner or later to follow such conduct as deceased’s.

I hope this accident will act as a warning to all who have anything to do with explosives to carry out the instructions sent with each kind to the very letter.

Sources

• 1895 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8074), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 38 Where to find this report
• 1895 Mines Inspectors Report (C 8074), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 42, Accident Number: 1 Where to find this report

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