Stone Dusting.
The danger from explosions is ever present in coal mines. The ignition of naturally occurring methane gas is serious enough, but if this propagated a coal dust explosion then the consequences could be devastating throughout the mine. To help reduce the risk of this happening stone dust was introduced, the idea being that it would provide a concentration of suspended dust particles in the path of the flame of an explosion, it was hoped that this would reduce temperatures and arrest the explosion.
Stone dust barriers were positioned at various points in roadways for this purpose. A simple wooden construction upon which stone dust was placed. In the event of an explosion these barriers would tip over and the stone dust dispersed. But another method of "stone dusting" was to actually spread the dust by hand. Bags full of stone dust would be positioned along the length of a roadway (tunnel), then a team of men were sent to scatter the contents. Simple enough, but you had to consider the direction of the airflow. Imagine throwing a hand full of flour in the air on a windy day the flour would soon be dispersed by the wind.
The same thing happened in the pit and men who worked on the down wind side were going to be dusted as well as the roadway. Self positioning was important, but each worker thought the same, nobody wanted to be covered in stone dust (some hope).
The job had to be done (often just before the Mines Inspector was paying a visit). Someone would start throwing the dust about and "unintentionally", (maybe), dusted the others as well. The rest joined in throwing the stone dust about the roadway, roof, sides, and floor. "Accidentally" covering the the others and making sure the first man did not feel neglected or left out.
Mostly the operation was carried out in a happy go lucky way with each having their laugh periods (when not on the receiving end). When the job was completed the team would leave the roadway before the Inspector arrived.
Stonedusting had the effect of brightening up a roadway which was usually black, making it much easier to see. It had the same effect on the men who did the stone dusting. No other miner needed to ask them what they had been doing that shift. The evidence was there before their eyes they stood out like a snowman in front of a blackboard.
Stonedusting as mentioned above was an essential ingredient in the coal mining process (at times it was neglected ), and the method of distribution was not always in the manner described here, but, on occasions, men will be boys.
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