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As already stated the system of working in No. 2 district was Room and Pillar fully mechanised on American lines, entailing the use of a considerable quantity of electrically-driven machinery (with its switchgear and cables) for cutting, drilling, loading and conveying and for ventilation, all at or in close proximity to the coal face.

This system is now in use with satisfactory results as regards output at a number of collieries and is extending. With such a quantity and variety of electrical apparatus in use it is apparent, in seams liable to give off firedamp even though not regarded as "gassy" in the accepted sense, that there is need for special precautions to ensure safety.

I would call attention to a few of these, not that they are new but because they are of such vital importance as to require stressing and the urgent consideration of all concerned.

(1) The first and over-riding essential is the provision and maintenance at all times of adequate ventilation. The speed of advance made possible with this method of working necessitates the careful planning ahead of ventilation requirements, and systematic checking of the ventilation by properly trained and competent officials. The use of auxiliary fans does not decrease this obligation but rather accentuates it, as is shown in the present case.

Recommendations on the use of auxiliary fans were made in my Report* on the Manvers Main Colliery Explosion, Yorkshire, and the Harrington Explosion emphasises their importance.

One of the recommendations made in that report (page 26) has special significance in the present case, viz: "When a fan driven by electricity has been stopped for any length of time a careful inspection of the workings should be made before it is restarted; if, however, gas is known to be likely to accumulate on stoppage the fan should be kept operating."

It is to be regretted that this was not observed at Harrington.

In my view the practice of the deputy starting up the fan after examining only at the fan, itself and leaving it running for some time before inspecting the workings beyond is not satisfactory, since it may easily create a false impression as to the adequacy of the ventilation, as I believe it did in this instance. Moreover, under such an arrangement, it is an easy, and perhaps not unnatural step – particularly if the inspection station is any considerable distance outbye – for the deputy to allow his men to pass beyond the station before he has completed the inspection of the whole of his district, contrary to Section 63 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911.

The Coal Mines (Ventilation) General Regulations 1947, recently made by you, to come into force on the 1st August, 1947 put some of these recommendations into effect. I consider these Regulations are urgently needed and their full implementation should not be delayed.

(2) The electrical apparatus should not only be (as was the case here) of the highest standard and of certified flameproof type – or its equivalent where, and so long as, apparatus of American design and manufacture is in use – but special and constant attention must be given to its maintenance in that condition. This, of course, raises the question of supervision.

Unfortunately some weakness in this respect was revealed in the case under consideration, though in my view it had no bearing on the explosion.

A maintenance engineer with electrical training and regarded as an assistant electrician was present on each shift as a member of the regular crew, and they appeared to be competent men with considerable experience in the types of apparatus in use; but they had not for some time been receiving the necessary supervision and assistance of the expert electrical staff, partly owing to illness of the chief electrician but mainly through shortage of staff.

Mr. Pattinson, the chief colliery electrician, had not himself visited the No. 2 district for over a month prior to the explosion, and his assistant, who went underground at least once a week, last visited the district on 6th November when he accompanied Mr. A. A. Miller, the chief electrical engineer for the Company’s Cumberland collieries.

Mr. Pattinson’s replies to my questions were as follows

Q. That was the 6th November?

A. Yes, in place of me. From memory I think that would be his last visit as well into that district.

Q. Am I right in assuming then that most of the electrical supervision in this district was left to these maintenance engineers ?

A. There was a good deal of the supervision left entirely to those maintenance engineers, because I had every confidence that they were carrying out their duties perfectly.

Q. So I think it follows that a good deal – in fact, most of it – was left to the maintenance engineer. You say you had every confidence in them?

A. I had every confidence in them.

Q. And possibly on that account you left more to them than you ought to have left ?

A. Yes, although all the little troubles that we did have when I was available were always fully discussed.

Q. Yes, I quite appreciate that when they were in trouble they sought your advice?

A. They did.

Q. And you left a good deal to them?

A. Yes.

Mr. Nimmo was asked by Mr. Stephenson whether he agreed that with this amount of electricity in use much more careful handling was needed than with the old method, and said he did. On the question of electrical supervision he said there was a general shortage of competent electricians for mines, and they had suffered with other collieries; if more men were available they certainly should be employed. It is to be hoped that efforts will be made to recruit and train more electricians as soon as possible.

In his remarks at the concluding stage of the Inquiry Mr. Stephenson, speaking on behalf of the National Union of Mineworkers as well as the Cumberland Miners’ Association said "as an organisation we feel that now there is a good deal more of this power loading machinery going into the mines it is essential we should have more electrical inspectors on the Inspectorate" and he hoped the Ministry of Fuel and Power would consider the point. In 1943 the strength of the electrical inspectorate staff was increased by the addition of four Juniors, but in recent months three experienced members of the staff have resigned to take up other appointments, seriously depleting its ranks. These vacancies will, I hope, be filled as quickly as possible so as to restore the Inspectorate to its full establishment.

Although such Inspectors serve a very important and necessary purpose, the responsibility for the safe installation and daily upkeep of the electrical apparatus must of necessity rest upon the colliery staff who are in constant touch with the work being carried on.

(3) One further point arises, viz : – the necessity for ensuring that electric cables and switchgear near the face cannot be made alive after a prolonged stoppage until the area in which they are situated has been examined by the deputy or other qualified official and he has certified it safe to do so.

Under the system of remote control at Harrington it was possible in certain circumstances for the attendant in charge of the main belt at the transfer point outbye to switch current on to panels No. 11 and 19 and thereby to make alive switchgear and even to start scraper chain conveyors situated beyond the auxiliary fans controlling their ventilation.

Tribute was justly paid by all parties at the Inquiry to the excellent work done by the Rescue Brigades and numerous others who voluntarily gave their services in an endeavour – unfortunately of no avail – to rescue the victims of the disaster, and later to recover the bodies. These efforts were in accord with the well-known high traditions of mining men, and I gladly record thanks to all who thus served.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. R. FELTON.

* Cmd. 6688