Description

Metalliferous Mines.

Fatal Accidents.

Accident No. 6 in the list. Deceased was acting as bottomer at an "eye" or mid-landing in a shaft. Some workmen had been drawn up the shaft, and two more were waiting at the eye for the same purpose, at which time deceased was standing by a laden bogey which he had brought from the workings. It was no part of his duty as bottomer to give the signals for the men to ascend, the usual plan being for the men to do so themselves. Immediately after the cage began to ascend, deceased was seen pushing the bogey towards the shaft, the supposition being that he had forgotten all about the cage having been taken up with the men in it. He continued to push until the bogey fell into the shaft and he along with it. In all cases where men are ascending the shaft, it should be the duty of the bottomer, or, in his absence, some person appointed for the purpose, to give the signals and to attend near the shaft until the man have safely reached the surface. Had this been deceased's duty he could not possibly have forgotten that the cage was not in position to receive the bogey. There was not any "fencing" at this opening as required by General Rule 7, section 44, of the Metalliferous Mines Act. If there had been a proper fence the accident could not have happened. In consequence of this violation of the Act, and by your permission, I summoned the owners, Messrs. James Bain, John Simpson, and another before the magistrates at Whitehaven, who having heard the case, and there being practically no defence offered, inflicted a fine of £2 inclusive of costs, the costs I understood being £1 19s. 6d., leaving the fine sixpence. The magistrates who heard the case were John Thompson, Esquire, and William Jackson, Esquire, and beyond this it is probably not necessary for me to make any further remark.

Sources

• 1876 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1734), Newcastle-on-Tyne District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 257 Where to find this report
• 1876 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1734), Newcastle-on-Tyne District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 259, Accident Number: 6 Where to find this report

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