Harton Colliery

Miscellaneous Notes and Incidents

A wire rope guide broke at the level of the dabbing buntons in the New Pit shaft, Harton Colliery, Durham. The rope had been in use for 14 years and preparations had already been made to replace it at the week end following.

The chief cause of deterioration of rope conductors is decrease in the sectional area of the wires due to corrosion and external wear. Most cases of actual fracture, however, appear to be mainly due to corrosion, the fracture occurring at a part outside the cage travel, e.g., at or near the attachment in the headgear or where the rope passes through a bunton, eye, or D clamp in the shaft bottom to prevent oscillation. It has been suggested that at least those parts of the conductors outside the travel of the cage should be galvanised to resist corrosion. In any case, special steps should be taken to see that they are examined and maintained in safe order. Inspections which cover only those parts of the conductors within the travel of the cages are not sufficient.

Source: 1927 Mines Inspectors Report