The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-18
ISSUE PAMPHLET ON
SAFETY IN MINES
Warning Against Insecure
Roofing by Davidson
DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN
Use Powder Sparingly and Abundant
Timbers-Over One-Half of Deaths
in Alabama Caused by Fall
ing Roof or Coal
DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN

Safety is subject handled IN pamph-
let just issued by the Alabama Coal OPP
orators association. Its author is James
l.. d. Davidson, secretary. The mine
casualty and mining institute committee
approved of the pamphlet and assisted
in its preparation
The exact title of the essay Is "Preven-
ton of Accidents From Falls of Roof and
Coal" and it is in part as follows:
The prevention of accidents from falls
of roof and coal has not received suf-
ficient attention from the persons vitaly
affected. This Is due probably to the fact,
that little notoriety is given to such ac-
cidents, as they occur one or two at a
time, and in scattered mines. When
gas explosion occurs, the newspapers,
with glaring headlines, tell of the fearful
loss of life, the heroic deeds of rescue
and the resulting pathetic scenes enacted
at the pit mouth and elsewhere. But
when a man or two is killed or injured
from falling roof or coal, the fact is only
chronicled with squib of a few lines.
Therefore, few people realize how many
men are killed and injured from falling
roof and coal
Five Men Killed Daily
In the coal mines of the United States,
an average of five men are killed and an
average of 12 men are seriously injured,
every working day. from falling roof or
coal.
In Alabama, one half of all the men
killed or injured in and about coal mines,
received their injuries from falling roof
or coal. For the year 1912, the total num-
Der of fatal accidents from all causes
was 12l; of which total 81 or over 80 per
cent were from falls of roof and coal,
and the total number of serious nom
fatal accidents from all causes was 81;
of which total IA were from falls of
rock and coal
Unless otherwise ordered by the mine
foreman. pull down all coal bone coal,
and draw slate that is hanging TO the
roof, whether it appears loose or not.
Immediately upon entering the working
place or before working or remaining
where the same may fall on you.
Reset all timbers that are out of place,
and set new timbers where necessary.
All of which should be done before going
to work, loading coal or mining. BE
sure you're safe then go ahead
A line of props should be set as close
to the face and to the track as practicable.
Timbers should be set sufficiently close
to each other to hold the top, and In no
case should they be spaced further apart
than the mine rules specify, or the N inc
foreman prescribes.
Capboards should be driven in tight
enough to hold the timber in place, so
that 1t will not be easily blown or
knocked out. Do not drive the cupboard
in so tight that 1t will break or shatter
the roof.
All timbers should be sawed off square
at each end and of sufficient length to
reach from the floor to roof. allowing
for the cupboard.
Use Powder Sparingly
Save time and money by using only
enough power to bring down the coal. put
In sufficient and proper mining. Tt takes
less powder and saves the roof and tim
bers. Do not place the shot too near
the roof DO not go into place that is
full of smoke.
Many are hurt and killed from falling
coal These accidents occur not only
when putting in the mining, but often in
pitching seams. and in large flat seams,
the face breaks and runs" The re-
sponsibility for these accidents rests al
most entirely with the miner and his
helper.
In underwriting, slabbing. the coal
should be carefully and properly spragged
or blocked and, in top mining, the roof
coal bone coal and draw slate. should
be properly and carefully Sprayed or
blocked. This should be done whether
you are pick-mining or using a machine.
When the cut is finished and you are
ready to bring down the coal start at
the inner end and knock out the sprags
so that If the coal rolls over. you will
not be caught by 1t.
inexperienced men should not engage In
pulling pillars, or recovering loose coal
from the COB. unless accompanied by an
experienced miner, or the mine foreman
Someone has said that ITS better to
be safe than sorry" In the miners case
ITS better to be safe than dead"
"Procrastination is the thief of time"
In the coal mines. procrastination Is the
thief of lives. Do not wait until you
have finished a cut or loaded a car be-.
fore putting up prop. A timber set be-
fore the roof starts to loosen Is worth
more than a room full afterwards.
Rememberi Extra timbers set IN time
will never be needed for coffins or
splints!