1092

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

November 26, 1915.

SAFETY METHODS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

The H. C. Frick Coke Company, the mines of which
are in Fayette and Westmoreland counties, Penn-
sylvania, in the Connellsville coke region, has been
pursuing a safety campaign for a number of years, and
a short resume of its practices were given at a recent
meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers
by Mr. Thomas W. Dawson.

Every official and foreman of the company is con-
tinually impressed with the fact that ‘ ‘ safety ’ ’ should
be the first consideration, and all officials and their sub-
ordinates are brought together as one great committee
on safety. Pamphlets showing the duties of the miner,
and the manner in which he may protect himself from
danger, and giving safety regulations for those working
around machinery, have been printed and generally dis-
tributed. Permanent danger signs are placed wherever
there is the least possibility of an accident. When men
are working in shafts, the “ Men in shaft ” sign is placed
so that no accident can be caused by mistake in moving
cages. A similar sign is placed on hoisting engines and
other machinery when it is being repaired. When work-
men are cleaning or making repairs to the inside of a
boiler, a “ Man in the boiler ” sign is displayed outside,
and the steam valve for this boiler is locked, and the
key carried by one of the men until the work is com-
pleted. When coke drawing machines are being repaired
or cleaned the “ Do not move ” sign is placed on the
controller, and the trolley wheel is locked, and the key
carried by one of the repair men until the work is
finished. “ No clearance ” signs are conspicuously dis-
played at all points about the plants where there is no
clearance for a. man between moving cars and obstruc-
tions of any character. Bridge guards and overhead
warning signs are placed wherever needed.

In the mines guide signs in various languages are
posted at road junctions and on travelling ways, indi-
cating the safest way put of the mine.

All machinery is safely guarded. These guards
include locking devices for hand wheels of valves, safety
locks for electric switches, guards for water gauges;
safety gaskets to be inserted in steam blow-off and feed
water connections when cleaning and repairing boilers;
safety locking device for self-dumping cage; soap lubri-
cation fo»r air compressors; wagon guard and dumping
platform for swing gate mine cars; spooling device for
tail ropes on haulages; stiles or protected crossings over
rope and sheaves where necessary for men to pass;
improved safety catch for cages; device for positively
rectifying wagon catches on car hauls; self-closing
hinges for shaft gates; steel galleries for runways over
boilers, and safety platforms for operating electric
larries. “ Do not touch ” signs are used about electric
wires, indicating voltage of current; and “ Do not pass
under ” signs are used where there is danger in passing
underneath structures. Steel doors are provided to drop
over shafts which have wooden head frames or coal bins
above them, should these wooden structures catch fire.
The company has originated a device for automatically
controlling high-pressure air compressors. When the
temperature of the discharge air in the pipe reaches a
pre-determined point, showing that the pressure is
excessively high, it acts on the thermometer and record-
ing device, thus crossing an electric circuit and ener-
gising a solenoid. This moves over a tripping device,
which opens the pilot valve, releasing the steam pressure
on one side of the regulating piston. Thereby the valve
on the steam feed pipe is automatically closed, shutting
off the steam and stopping the compressor.

All hoisting engines are equipped with an automatic
overwinding device, which acts directly on the engine,
cutting off the steam and applying the brakes.

When it is necessary to clean the sump at the bottom
of the shaft, the cages are hoisted to a clearance height
land secured by iron pins, through holes in the guides;
these pins are attached to the guides by chains, which
prevent their removal when not .in use.

At the surface landings of all shaft mines, a device is
installed which prevents the gates from being opened
when the cage is not in position at the landing. All
hoisting compartments of shafts are lined at the cage
ends. All cages and safety catches are periodically
inspected, tested, and a written report made of the
inspection. In no case is a hoisting rope kept in service
longer than 2| years, even though apparently safe and
in good condition. Frequent inspection of air shafts
must be made to keep them open and free at all times
from ice and other obstructions. A fireboss must make
this examination, and travel either up or down such
shaft once each day, the mine foremen once each two
weeks, and the superintendent once a month.

The company’s rules require that in mines generating
explosive gas not less than 500 cu. ft. of air per minute
per person employed in the mine shall be provided at the
intake, and this must be so distributed that there will not
be less than 300 cu. ft. per minute per person employed
in each split at the working faces. No mine shall have at
the intake less than 300 cu. ft. of air per minute per
person employed, and at the working places at least 150
cu. ft. per minute per person employed. Measurements
of air supplied are carefully made and reported to the
general office once each week. Local officials at mines
generating gas are required to keep air up to the working
faces and to such other places where explosive gas might

be encountered. At a number of the larger and more
recent plants, the ventilating fan is operated by two
engines, one on each end, and either of them powerful
enough to operate the fan in case of failure of the other.
All the ventilating systems in the mines are ascensional.

The Clowes hydrogen-test lamp is used in all mines
generating gas, for testing purposes. Samples of air are
taken in gaseous mines and sent in copper cans to the
company’s laboratory, where they are analysed. The
results of the analyses are reported to the general office
and to the mine. If these show a percentage of explo-
sive gas which might have been detected by the Clowes
lamp, the party making the test and reporting no gas
is required to make an explanation.

Boreholes are frequently drilled from the surface to
release any dangerous accumulations of explosive gas
in the gob, where these cannot be removed by the mine
ventilation. Shot-firers have been employed to do all
blasting by battery, and inspect all places where shots
have been fired, to see that there is no fire or other
danger thereafter. Only the safest permissible explo-
sives are used, and all tamping is done with clay.

All safety-lamp mines are examined on Sundays,
holidays, and lay-off days, and all mines which have
been idle for more than two consecutive days are
examined before operations are renewed. In the larger
mines, wherever safety lamps are used, auxiliary escape-
ways are provided. In some instances these are stair
shafts from the surface to the mine, placed in the
active working sections, and used also for additional
ventilation. In other cases, means of escape are pro-
vided by having connections between mines, which are
closed by double iron doors. Frequent examinations are
made to see that these doors are always in condition for
use. Where coal dust occurs, a system of pipes and a
supply of water under sufficient head, and all necessary
appliances are provided to dampen thoroughly the floor,
sides, and roof of all parts of dry mines.

On rope haulage, a device is provided for disengaging
the rope from the trip as soon as it is given slack.
Brakes are provided for all mine cars, and 2| ft.
clearance is provided on all haulageways on one side;
this side being indicated by a wide whitewashed strip
on the rib.

Systematic timbering systems are devised and strictly
followed. Printed regulations cover the system of
timbering in rooms, headings, and rib and pillar drawl-
ing; these are worked out to suit conditions at the
various mines. Timber is not set without caps or cross-
bars.

All mines have complete mine telephone systems.
Stables, pump rooms, haulage engine rooms, shaft
bottoms, underground offices, and all such places where
men might congregate are of fireproof construction, and
are kept clean and neat. No open lights are allowed
in any buildings. Cans are provided for the reception
of oily waste, grease, small quantities of oil, etc. All
electric wiring is carefully inspected twice each year.
All bare power lines underground and on the surface
are properly guarded for their entire length by a neat
wooden guard, so as to prevent the workman or his
tools from coming in contact with the same. For the
same reason, trolley wires for coke drawing machines
are placed at a sufficient height to make contact with
tools unlikely. A system of checking men in and out
of the workings is maintained at all of the mines. All
abandoned places in the mines are fenced off.

The company employs four mine inspectors, one of
them acting as chief. It .is the duty of these men to
visit each mine and thoroughly inspect it at least once
every 60 days. When an accident occurs in or about
any mine, the chief mine inspector promptly visits the
scene of the accident, gathers all of the data he can
relative thereto, and makes a sketch of the surroundings.
This sketch is put into permanent form, blue-printed,
and sent to each mine with a circular letter, giving a
full account of the accident, and making suggestions
for the prevention of similar ones. This is discussed at
the meeting of the local officials at each plant. Once
each week, the superintendent of each plant and his
subordinates meet and discuss mine conditions and
operations in general, and especially matters pertaining
ito the safety of their employees. The discussions of
these meetings are reported to the general superin-
tendent each wreek. General meetings are held at stated
intervals at the general office, which are attended by the
superintendent of each plant and heads of departments.

Projections for mine workings are made far in advance
of the actual work, and the haulage and ventilating
problems are planned so that when the mine is developed
the best system is in use. Specifications are written
for each mine, stating where and how the mining is to
be done. The officials of the company make detailed
inspections at intervals, insuring that their instructions
and the best methods are actually followed.

A safety committee of three or four men is appointed
at each mine, which inspects periodically the working
places, roadways, ventilation, and any other things which
in its opinion might be the cause of an accident. The
committee reports in writing to the superintendent of
the mine, who forwards the same to the general office.
These suggestions are immediately acted upon, and all
dangers reported, should there be any, are removed as
quickly as possible. Three rescue and first-aid stations
are maintained at the different plants of the company,
which are fully equipped with the best apparatus and
accessories obtainable. About 400 men have been
thoroughly trained and qualified in both rescue and first-
aid work, local contests being held by the different teams
at various times.

Emergency hospitals, fully equipped, have been pro-
vided at a number of the largest mines, and the com-
pany is contemplating the erection of one at each of its
operating plants.

Tests are made frequently for gas above roof falls in
gobs. Work is prohibited in any place in which gas is

found, until after it has been removed. Mine inspectors
instruct all new employees about dangers of their work.
In the accompanying table is given the accident record
of the H. C. Frick Coke Company for the last five
years.

Fatal Accident Record of H. C. Frick Coke Company.

Total coal pro-	1910.	1911.	1912.	1913.	1914.
duced (tons)..  Fatal accidents	16,567,609...14,993,417..		,18,596,502.	..18,097,038.	..11,725,448
inside of mines Fatal accidents  outside of coke	30	...	23	.	33	.	36	..	12
plants	  Based on fatal accidents inside of mines—  Tons mined	10	...	4 .	7 .	10	..	4
per accident Accidents per	552,253...	651,888..	.. 563,530..	.. 502,695..	.. 977,121
million tons Accidents per th ou sand	1’81 ...	1-53 ..	. 1’77 .	..	1*99 ..	1'02
employees...	3’20 ...	3*32 ..	.	2’91	.	..	3-44 ..	1'46

COLLIERY ACCIDENTS.

Pennant Hill.

Mr. G. C. Lewis (coroner) held the adjourned enquiry at
Old Hill, on Monday, relative to the deaths of John Clarke,
pikeman; Charles Knight, loader; James Rose, loader;
and Henry Williams, pikeman, who were killed by the
explosion which occurred at the Pennant Hill Colliery,
Rowley Regis, belonging to Messrs. P. Pitt and Company,
on October 22.

Mr. B. Parker, the manager of the colliery, giving
evidence, said the shot which caused the explosion
was being fired for the purpose of enlarging an existing
manhole, which was about 80 yds. from the main haulage
road.

Henry Thomas Walford, the deputy and fireman at
the colliery, .stated that he received his instructions to fire
the shot on the night preceding the explosion, these being
given to him by Harry Williams, one of the victims.
Replying to the coroner’s questions, he said he did not
receive instructions in writing to fire the shot. He knew
that the Mines Regulations provided that these instructions
.should be given to him in writing. He never obtained any
instructions in writing, and had to work to order. He
examined the place to see if there was any danger, but
he did not water it. He saw coal dust on various sides of
the manhole. Frank Clarke and James Rose, two of the
five victims, bored the hole, and a “ bobbin ” of black powder
was used. He did not know whether this was a permitted
explosive or not. He had always used this kind of powder.
He considered that this black powder was a permitted
explosive because it was provided by the manager. He had
read the Explosives Order, and he agreed that it provided
for men being removed from danger excepting certain men
who were to be left for repairing. If he (witness) had with-
drawn the men he would have been going beyond his
orders.—The coroner pointed out that the rules provided
that in the main haulage road a shot should not be fired
without written instructions, and if these were obtained
the men should be removed from danger. He asked witness
why he did not see that the men w'ere removed from
danger.—Walford, in reply, said he did not think anything
was going to happen. Continuing, Walford said that if he
had withdrawn the men, he should not have got through
bis work. The mine was a dry one. When the shot was
fired, witness and John Clarke were in a manhole 80yds.
away. Rose went the other way to stop anybody who
should come that way. Answering Mr. Felton, H.M.
inspector of mines, witness said the explosion occurred on
the repairing shift, and there were 24 men in the pit at
the time. The only orders he received were from Williams,
who was a bricklayer. Three shots were fired before
3 o’clock the same morning. He saw no dust in the road-
way. There was a good current of air. He knew it was
a dusty mine, but he could not say whether steps were
taken to deal with the dust. The mine was cleared out the
previous week. Walford said he recollected a previous
explosion at the colliery, when four or five men were burnt
in an explosion caused in a similar manner. There had
been no change in the use of explosives since that time.
Answering further questions, witness said he had never
come across gas in the pit. He admitted that there was dust
in the mine, and that it might have caused the explosion.

Thomas Banks, an overman, said although there was a
lot of dust in the pit, no record of the fact was made in
the book, but a record had been kept since the accident.

The manager, Mr. Parker, recalled, said he had not given
any instructions for the shot to be fired. He admitted that
he did not contemplate giving written instructions, although
he should have done according to the rules. He had been
so accustomed to giving his orders verbally that he forgot
to give this one in writing. It had not been necessary to
give written instructions during the time he had been
manager, because they had never fired a shot in the main
haulage.

The jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental death,” and
exonerated Walford from blame, as he believed the explosive
was a proper one. They did not consider the manager was
guilty of wilful negligence, as he did not give instructions
for the shot to be fired. The jury added a rider that the
question of breaches of the Mines Regulations should be
taken up by the proper authorities.

Arrangements have been made for a conference of trade
union executives and officials to be held at the Wesleyan
Central Hall. Westminster, on Wednesday next, to consider
the financial position of the nation, so far as it affects
organised labour. The Prime Minister, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, and the President of the Board of Trade
have accepted invitations to address the conference.

Mr. S. Finney, the secretary and agent of the North
Staffordshire Miners’ Federation, has received a letter
written on behalf of the Prince of Wales, thanking the
colliery workers of North Staffordshire for the generous
support they have given to the National Relief Fund. A
contribution of £500 recently forwarded has brought the
total amount the colliery workers of North Staffordshire
have subscribed to the magnificent sum of £22,300.