On September 1st, at the Loftus Mine in Cleveland, belonging to Messrs. Pease and Partners, Limited, a fore-overman and a deputy were killed by a fall when the timber at a crossing on a main road was being renewed. The fore-overman was supervising the work, and five deputies — all skilled and experienced men — were doing it. In fact, the work had practically been successfully completed when the stone beneath the hole in which the ends of two st eel girders — which had been used as bearers — gave way and let down part of the newly finished crossing and a quantity of small loose shale. The two men were buried in this fall and were suffocated.
The giving way of the stone beneath holes cut into the seam for receiving the ends of baulks or girders is not uncommon, but this takes place usually at places being turned away where the shots kick back and cut out the stone. Great care is always taken to pick off any loose stone beneath where a baulk hole is going to be cut, and in this instance care had been taken and the stone was thought to be sound and solid ; in fact at the inquest the men said they were proud of their job. I have never known a crossing come down immediately it had been put up as this one did, but, having this instance before me, I would recommend for the future the ends of all bearing baulks, in whatever portion of the workings they may be, should have one or more props set under them, as well as being placed in holes deeply cut in the sides of the places.
| Source: | 1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449) |
| | Gettings, James, aged 30, Deputy, They were killed by the bearing girders of a crossing being let down by the stone on which they were placed giving way. The bearing girders falling allowed part of the crossing and the dirt above to fall on to them. |
| | Reed, James, aged 48, Overman, They were killed by the bearing girders of a crossing being let down by the stone on which they were placed giving way. The bearing girders falling allowed part of the crossing and the dirt above to fall on to them. |
| |
All names found |
Return
Return to Top