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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	5th April 1875
Colliery:	Backworth
Company:	J. C. Lamb and Co.
Cause:	Explosion of gas
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

Explosions of Firedamp.

Three accidents have arisen from this cause, by which four lives have been lost. The first of these occurred in the yard seam, at Backworth Colliery, on 5th April. Workings in this seam, which had been temporarily abandoned three years previously, were being prepared for recommencing work there. Deceased, who was using a naked light, was driving a short cross-cut towards a winning headways, a temporary brattice being fixed near him to force the air round by the face — he had partially removed this brattice and travelled along the winning headways some distance, for what purpose was not clearly ascertained, when the explosion took place. It was sworn in evidence that the brattice was also placed as a "fence" according to general rule 4. I have much reason to doubt that such was the intention. More care should have been taken by the agent in giving full and explicit instructions to the manager, not only that it was his wish to recommence the district, but what precautions were to be taken, and the precise means to be adopted in preparing for such recommencement. There was no evidence that the manager had examined the district before instructing the under officials to commence preparations, and the deceased himself violated both general and special rules in removing or partially removing a "fence" and in going to a place other than his working place.

These explosions would not have taken place, had locked safety lamps been in the hands of the workmen. It is no doubt true that the ventilation in each case was inadequate, and that there was in the first and third cases disobedience of rules and verbal orders, but it is none the less true, and may be repeated, the explosions would not have taken place if safety lamps had been in use.

Source:

1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Newcastle-on-Tyne District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 250 Where to find this report

	Ismay, John, aged 30, Hewer, explosion of gas
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