Description

A centrifugal pump driven by a 10 H.P. motor had just been installed in an old side road about a mile from the shafts. The surroundings were damp. The current was three phase with a voltage of about 400. The motor was controlled by an auto-transformer starting switch the moving parts of which consisted of two bare copper bars about 7 inches apart, connected by an insulated handle, which moved through an arc of nearly half a circle in two silts in the domed covering of the switch box. The edges Of the slits in the cover were bounded by fibre and where each of the copper bars was connected to the handle two circular plates of vulcanite rather less than 2½ inches diameter partially protected them where they projected beyond the cover but left about ½ inch uncovered. Owing to air getting into the pump the motor had to be constantly stopped and restarted. Deceased had had some experience with electrical plant and be was told off to instruct another man in the working of the pump. In starting the motor the switch was first placed in position at the starting side and when sufficient speed was attained it was pushed over to the running side and while performing the latter operation with his right hand deceased's finger or thumb appears to have come in contact with the bare ½ inch of one of the copper bars of the switch. The person he was instructing saw him push the handle over to the running side and he then gave a twist to his body and shouted "put her off," he was unable to draw his hand away. The person he was instructing stepped over him to the fuse box, pulled the fuses out and cut off the current. Artificial respiration was resorted to without success. Gloves were provided which deceased had used earlier during the shift but had discarded them. He had remarked that he had received slight shocks but this was probably due to some leakage into the cover which after the accident was found to be slightly charged. The Local inspectors reported "As far as we can ascertain it was purely accidental."

Tombstone

Sources

• 1907 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 4045), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 51, Accident Number: 66 Where to find this report
• Church/Cemetery photograph (T-04748-08-0002) © Kev Duncan
• Headstone(s) in St. Cuthbert's Churchyard, Marley Hill
• Tombstone photograph (T-04768-08-0002) © Kev Duncan

Researchers

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