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CONCLUSIONS.
In conclusion we submit –
| 1. |
The explosion was practically confined to the main haulage roads in the Low Main seam extending from the shafts over part of their lengths in the direction of the working face.
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| 2. |
This part of the mine was the least likely to contain fire-damp and the most likely to contain fine coal dust.
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| 3. |
The colliery was in its normal condition at the moment of the explosion.
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| 4. |
The inflammable agent both at the origin and in the propagation of the explosion was coal dust and not fire-damp.
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| 5. |
The sources of the coal dust were –
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| 6. |
The point of origin and the initial cause of the explosion was a charge of the Permitted Explosive geloxite fired by a stoneman by means of fuse on the main haulage road.
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| 7. |
The explosion died out in all directions with the cessation of the supply of coal dust.
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| 8. |
The colliery was generally well managed.
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| 9. |
The firing of the charge of geloxite appears to have been the personal act of the stoneman, a licensed shot-firer, without authorisation from any person.
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| 10. |
This act was in contravention of the provisions of General Rule 12 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, of Special Rules 131 and 135 founded thereon, and of Section 2 (a) of the Explosives in Coal Mines Order of 20th December, 1902, made by the Secretary of State in pursuance of the power conferred on him by Section 6 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1896.
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| 11. |
It is to be feared that the act of the stoneman indicates that miners do not yet appreciate the danger of coal dust.
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| 12. |
We think that coal mines cannot be said to be reasonably safe so long as their main avenues constantly contain materials capable of producing a violent explosion in the shape of coal dust and pure air.
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| 13. |
Coal mines are becoming deeper and drier and larger areas are being worked from a pair of shafts and unless some steps are taken to mitigate the danger of coal dust, explosions, exceeding in loss of life any hitherto recorded, will probably take place.
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| 14. |
We urge that immediate steps should be taken to make obligatory the removal and to prevent the accumulation of coal dust on the intake air ways and mechanical haulage roads of collieries.
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We agree with the finding of the jury as to the point of origin and source of flame causing the explosion, i.e., the charge of geloxite fired on the main haulage road, but regret they did not see their way to state what, in their opinion, was the agent that was first inflamed, and the agent that carried forward the explosion, and that they made no specific recommendation as to precautions necessary in the future.
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