The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-19

the Quty VI tlc Hlll6 lOICiIl6H u SCC tAAe'S
men who are too ignorant to protect
themselves are made to do So
The next point is defective or improp-
erly protected machinery or appliances.
These accidents happen on the surface as
well as in the mine, and great many of
them could be prevented. This can be
done in great many cases by properly
guarding or shielding gear wheels or any
rapidly moving parts of machinery, such
as crank pin on an engine, which can
have rail around 1t; exposed gears on
pumps or engines, which can be shielded
with metal or even a wooden shield, and
in cases of electric wires, especially where
high voltage is used, the wire, where pos
sible, should be insulated, and In case of
trolley wires, which cannot be insulated,
they can be shielded by six-inch board,
the bottom three or four inches below
the wire and fastened with an iron
bracket between the clamp holding the
wire and hanger.
This is of the utmost Importance where
high voltage is used which Is sometimes
done on account of very long transmission
lines. These shielding boards should be
placed not over four inches apart SO that
a man raising his head could not get it
between the shielding and thus come in
contact with the wire. A shock from a
current as high as 500 volts is usually
known to be fatal. A still better precau-
ton along the line is to use a lower volt
age, not over $50, which is not fatal, ex-
cept in rare cases. In fact, the shock from
$50 volts is usually not serious unless 1t
Is continued for a considerable length of
time. High platforms should also be pro-
tected by hand rails to- keep men from
falling off.
A great many of these accidents can
also be prevented by proper Inspection on
the part of the mine foremen, master me-
l1a afa Tn.
cases there is too great a tendency when
a thing is once done right not to keep
1t right, but to allow 1t to get in bad
repair, and many accidents caused by
breaking of machinery, breaking of hoist
ing and haulage ropes or car couplers can
be prevented by keeping these things in
proper condition.
includes 'all other accidents" I will
say that l have not tried to sub-divide
this class as there are too many kinds,
but they are, as a rule, due to lack to
proper organization, lack of proper dis
cipline, and carelessness on the part of
individual employees, and also to the lack,
on the part of the employer, to furnish
proper facilities and protection for en-
ployes For instance, men are frequently
hurt on the roadway on account of there
being insufficient passing room for the
trip, either being moved mechanically or
by mule power. To guard against this
class of accidents there should be pro-
vided either separate walkway for the
men to go to and from their working
places or a sufficient place beside the
track for a man to walk without danger
of being struck by a passing trip. And,
when either of these are provided they
should, like machinery, be kept in proper
condition, that Is distractions in the shape
of rock should not be piled in this place
or falls from the roof should not be al
lowed to accumulate so that 1t is either
impossible or a hardship on the men to
travel what Is supposed to be a travelling
road. And this can only be kept in proper
condition by necessary supervision and
discipline. If neither of the above are
practicable a, manhole should be cut in
the rib every 80 or 40 feet and kept white
washed and free from dirt or rock.
Accidents such as collisions of two trips
running in opposite directions are usually
the result of lack of proper discipline or
system in handling the mine.
Derailments, caused by defects in the
track, bent axles, or any of the num-
erous other causes, are usually the re-
suit of lack of discipline or lack of
proper supervision in keeping the plant in
proper condition.
In conclusion I will say that not only
in this state, but in all parts of the coun-
the part of the superintendent and mine
foremen, and incidentally their assistants
to produce the greatest possible amount
of coal at the least possible cost, regard
less of anything else The consequence
is that the energies of the whole organ
ization are expended in the effort to pro-
duce the greatest results today, and the
fact is lost sight of that machinery can
not run forever without attention, and
that no part of the mine can remain ir
proper working condition without getting
considerable attention; also the fact thai
to produce coal our employees must be
properly protected; the result being in
many instances that the loss of life and
injury to employees or delay or damage
to property from accidents or wrecks will
far more than offset the gain made by
thinking of nothing but getting coal.
It will probably appear that I have
placed a great deal of responsibility on
the mine foremen, and held them respon-
sible for a great many accidents which
occur. In doing this realize that the
mine foreman has a responsible position
that he has many and varied duties to
perform, and that he cannot be at all
places at one time, as he Is frequently ex-
pected to be, and I have thought that
many of US do not give the mine foremen
sufficient consideration or sufficient as
sistance to do all that we expect of them.
In a large mine they cannot do 1t, all,
but by organizing their working force on
proper systematic basis. exercising
proper systematic basis, exercising proper
discipline and choosing for their main as
sistants men who will do the same, they
can build up an efficient organization,
and by preventing many OF the accidents
which now happen, and thus not only save
human life and limb. but also increase
output and decrease cost by avoiding the
delays caused by accidents.
I also, before closing, want to give the
master mechanics and electricians and
their departments their share of RESPONSE
bility, in keeping the plant in. proper
working order and safeguarding the lives
Of the employees. and to say that they
should consider 1t their duty to prevent
breakdowns. If possible. rather than re-
pair them, and by so doing their 1abors
will be lightened and their burden easier
to carry.
WEST EMD OPDTM A MCES