SAFETY IN MININGSAFETY IN MINING

100 Years of Progress100 Years of Progress

Mine Safety LegislationMine Safety Legislation

Many of us have a tendency to resent Many of us have a tendency to resent what we perceive as unwarranted what we perceive as unwarranted government interference in our lives.government interference in our lives.

We may even resent laws and We may even resent laws and regulations that are designed to keep regulations that are designed to keep us safe.us safe.

However, before we condemn the Mine However, before we condemn the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, lets Safety and Health Act of 1977, lets take a look back at an unregulated take a look back at an unregulated mining industry.mining industry.

In The Beginning…In The Beginning…

As early as 1865 aAs early as 1865 abill was introducedbill was introducedto create a Federalto create a FederalMining Bureau. It Mining Bureau. It did not pass.did not pass.Little was done untilLittle was done untila series of disastersa series of disastersoccurred after theoccurred after theturn of the century. turn of the century.

Open Flame LightsOpen Flame Lights

The early The early miner’s light miner’s light was a teapot was a teapot shaped lamp shaped lamp that featured a that featured a rope wick rope wick encased in a encased in a long spout.long spout.

The lamp burned whale oil, which The lamp burned whale oil, which was poured into the “pot” through was poured into the “pot” through an opening at the top.an opening at the top.

Filled with oil and ready to Filled with oil and ready to be lit, the lamp was placed be lit, the lamp was placed on the hat.on the hat.

The miner was now ready to The miner was now ready to enter the mine.enter the mine.

The oil lamp was replaced The oil lamp was replaced by the carbide light.by the carbide light.

The bottom half of the light was The bottom half of the light was filled with carbide, the top with filled with carbide, the top with water. Turning the lever permitted water. Turning the lever permitted water to drip onto the carbide. This water to drip onto the carbide. This combination produced acetylene combination produced acetylene gas.gas.

The gas was ignited by a The gas was ignited by a flint wheel and produced flint wheel and produced an acetylene flame about an acetylene flame about 1 inch in length.1 inch in length.

Carbide LightCarbide Light

Although it Although it improved visibility improved visibility in the mine, the in the mine, the carbide light was carbide light was every bit as every bit as dangerous to use dangerous to use as the oil lamp.as the oil lamp.

Time Line - 1891Time Line - 1891

The first Federal mine The first Federal mine safety statute became safety statute became law in 1891.law in 1891.

Its provisions covered Its provisions covered underground coal underground coal mine ventilation and mine ventilation and barred mine operators barred mine operators from employing from employing children under the children under the age of 12 in age of 12 in underground mines.underground mines.

The law’s impact was The law’s impact was negligible.negligible.

Coal was processed for market in Coal was processed for market in “Breakers”. There it was sized and the “Breakers”. There it was sized and the impurities removed.impurities removed.

Much of the physical work in the Much of the physical work in the Breaker was performed by boys Breaker was performed by boys between the ages of 8 and 12.between the ages of 8 and 12.

Breaker BoysBreaker Boys

The “Breaker Boys” were responsible The “Breaker Boys” were responsible for picking the slate from the coal.for picking the slate from the coal.

They were aligned in rows across They were aligned in rows across chutes of moving coal and sat chutes of moving coal and sat hunched there for hours.hunched there for hours.

They worked 9 – 10 hour days under They worked 9 – 10 hour days under very difficult conditions.very difficult conditions.

Some breakers employed as many Some breakers employed as many as 200 boys.as 200 boys.

They faced a seemingly They faced a seemingly endless supply of coal.endless supply of coal.

The conditions they worked The conditions they worked under were deplorable.under were deplorable. The dust and noise were beyond The dust and noise were beyond

imagination.imagination. They suffered through the heat of They suffered through the heat of

summer and the cold of winter.summer and the cold of winter. The boys worked under the watchful The boys worked under the watchful

eye of the breaker boss, whose ready eye of the breaker boss, whose ready stick was available to unplug chutes stick was available to unplug chutes and administer discipline.and administer discipline.

There were no social There were no social supports during the early supports during the early

1900’s.1900’s. There was no Social Security.There was no Social Security. There was no Workers’ Compensation.There was no Workers’ Compensation. Miners unable to work were left to fend Miners unable to work were left to fend

on their own.on their own. Some found work back in the Breaker.Some found work back in the Breaker. A labor contract from the early 1900’s A labor contract from the early 1900’s

contained the job title “contained the job title “Boys, Old Men & Boys, Old Men & Cripples.Cripples.

Many careers started & endedMany careers started & ended in the in the breaker.breaker.

Door BoysDoor Boys

From all accounts the boys looked From all accounts the boys looked forward to their 12forward to their 12thth birthday and the birthday and the transfer it brought to a position transfer it brought to a position underground.underground.

They were assigned to strategic They were assigned to strategic locations and were responsible for locations and were responsible for opening & closing ventilation doors. opening & closing ventilation doors.

The working conditions and job duties The working conditions and job duties of the door boys were an improvement of the door boys were an improvement over work in the Breaker.over work in the Breaker.

When the door boy heard a “trip” When the door boy heard a “trip” approaching he would open the door approaching he would open the door and permit them to pass.and permit them to pass.

DriversDrivers

By the time they By the time they were 14 most boys were 14 most boys were promoted to were promoted to driver.driver.

They would deliver They would deliver empty ore cars to empty ore cars to the miners and pull the miners and pull out the loaded out the loaded ones.ones.

When a boy could handle one mule, When a boy could handle one mule, he was given another.he was given another.

When he could handle two, he was When he could handle two, he was given a third, and so forth until he given a third, and so forth until he could drive six mules.could drive six mules.

The ability to handle six mules The ability to handle six mules resulted in adult wages.resulted in adult wages.

Time Line: 1900 - 1910Time Line: 1900 - 1910

• Roof falls, haulage Roof falls, haulage accidents, and accidents, and explosions killed explosions killed thousands of thousands of miners.miners.

• The deadliest year The deadliest year was 1907 when was 1907 when 3,242 miners 3,242 miners perished.perished.

Monongah - 1907Monongah - 1907

The Monongah Mine of the Fairmont The Monongah Mine of the Fairmont Mining Company was a state of the Mining Company was a state of the art operation.art operation.

It used electrical power, rather than It used electrical power, rather than animal power for haulage.animal power for haulage.

The 368 miners and their families The 368 miners and their families lived in the town of Monongah.lived in the town of Monongah.

In December, 1907, the mine In December, 1907, the mine exploded.exploded.

Rescuers found nothing but Rescuers found nothing but devastation and dead miners.devastation and dead miners.

Monongah Monongah

363 miners were killed in the 363 miners were killed in the Monongah explosion.Monongah explosion.

It was the deadliest mining accident It was the deadliest mining accident in U.S. history.in U.S. history.

MonongahMonongah

The town of The town of Monongah was Monongah was instantly instantly transformed into a transformed into a community of community of widows, orphans widows, orphans and dead men.and dead men.

1900 – 1910 Mining Deaths1900 – 1910 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

24,22624,226METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

????

Time Line - 1910Time Line - 1910

In 1910 Congress In 1910 Congress established the established the Bureau of Mines.Bureau of Mines.

Dr. Joseph Holmes Dr. Joseph Holmes was named was named Director of Mines.Director of Mines.

Time Line 1911 - 1940Time Line 1911 - 1940

The role of Federal inspectors was largely The role of Federal inspectors was largely limited to rescue operations.limited to rescue operations.

To facilitate rescue efforts Dr. Holmes To facilitate rescue efforts Dr. Holmes ordered eight specially designed rail cars.ordered eight specially designed rail cars.

The cars, supplied with first aid and mine The cars, supplied with first aid and mine rescue equipment, were placed at rescue equipment, were placed at strategic locations in the mining regions.strategic locations in the mining regions.

When disasters occurred the nearest When disasters occurred the nearest car was rushed to the scene.car was rushed to the scene.

Since all mining operations had rail Since all mining operations had rail access, the cars could travel to the access, the cars could travel to the scene of any mining disaster.scene of any mining disaster.

First Aid and Mine Rescue First Aid and Mine Rescue TrainingTraining

In addition to their In addition to their work in disasters, work in disasters, the Bureau of the Bureau of Mines cars doubled Mines cars doubled as roving as roving classrooms.classrooms.

Thousands of miners were provided Thousands of miners were provided with first aid training.with first aid training.

RescuersRescuers

Special teams were Special teams were trained in mine trained in mine rescue techniques, rescue techniques, including the use including the use of breathing of breathing apparatus.apparatus.

The equipment used by rescue teams The equipment used by rescue teams was often primitive and provided was often primitive and provided

limited protection.limited protection.

RescuersRescuers

Tragically, many Tragically, many rescuers, including rescuers, including those from the those from the Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Mines, were killed in were killed in rescue attempts.rescue attempts.

Bureau of MinesBureau of Mines

Despite the best Despite the best efforts of Dr. efforts of Dr. Holmes and his Holmes and his staff, mining staff, mining disasters continued disasters continued to claim lives.to claim lives.

Headlines such as Headlines such as these were all to these were all to frequent.frequent.

Haulage accident – 9 killed.Haulage accident – 9 killed.

Federal – 97 DeadFederal – 97 Dead

TonopahTonopah

Fire and explosion.Fire and explosion.

Bureau of Mines rescuers prepare Bureau of Mines rescuers prepare to enter the Barrackville Mine – to enter the Barrackville Mine – 1916.1916.

1911 – 1940 Mining Deaths1911 – 1940 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

59,46059,460

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

14,92814,928

Time Line - 1941Time Line - 1941

Congress passed the Coal Mine Congress passed the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act a year after Health and Safety Act a year after 257 miners die in four separate 257 miners die in four separate explosions.explosions.

Federal inspectors have the right to Federal inspectors have the right to enter mines but no safety or health enter mines but no safety or health regulations are mandated.regulations are mandated.

The law expired after one year.The law expired after one year.

Time Line – 1947 thru 1951Time Line – 1947 thru 1951

The 1947 Centralia The 1947 Centralia explosion claims 111 explosion claims 111 victims; just before victims; just before Christmas, 1951, 119 Christmas, 1951, 119 die in an explosion.die in an explosion.

Federal inspectors can Federal inspectors can notify mine operators notify mine operators of violations, but there of violations, but there are no enforcement are no enforcement provisions.provisions.

Centralia – 111 DeadCentralia – 111 Dead

State mine inspectors State mine inspectors warned of the dry and warned of the dry and dusty conditions 3 dusty conditions 3 times in the four times in the four months preceding the months preceding the explosion.explosion.

Rescuers were able to Rescuers were able to bring out 8 survivors, bring out 8 survivors, but one later died.but one later died.

1941 – 1950 Mining Deaths1941 – 1950 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

10,90710,907

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

2,3282,328

Time Line - 1952Time Line - 1952

Congress passes the Federal Coal Mine Congress passes the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act.Safety Act.

Underground coal mines are to be Underground coal mines are to be inspected yearly. Surface mines and inspected yearly. Surface mines and operations with less than 15 employees operations with less than 15 employees are exempted.are exempted.

Federal inspectors have authority to Federal inspectors have authority to issue withdrawal orders and notices of issue withdrawal orders and notices of violations.violations.

1951 – 1965 Mining Deaths1951 – 1965 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

5,8805,880

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

2,5652,565

In 1965 the Pennsylvania LegislatureIn 1965 the Pennsylvania Legislature made it illegal to stable mules made it illegal to stable mules underground.underground.

Time Line - 1966Time Line - 1966

The 1952 Act is amended. Congress The 1952 Act is amended. Congress passes the Federal Metal and passes the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act.Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act.

Coverage is extended to small Coverage is extended to small underground coal mines.underground coal mines.

The law expands the scope of The law expands the scope of education and training programs.education and training programs.

Time Line - 1969Time Line - 1969

The Federal Coal The Federal Coal Mine Health and Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 Safety Act of 1969 took effect a year took effect a year after the explosion after the explosion at Farmington killed at Farmington killed 78 miners.78 miners.

The law included a The law included a training grant training grant program.program.

Time Line – 1972 - 1976Time Line – 1972 - 1976

Ninety –one miners die in a fire in Ninety –one miners die in a fire in 1972 at the Sunshine Mine at 1972 at the Sunshine Mine at Kellogg, Idaho.Kellogg, Idaho.

In 1976, a pair of explosions at the In 1976, a pair of explosions at the Scotia Mine in Kentucky kill 26 Scotia Mine in Kentucky kill 26 people.people.

The lack of effective evacuation sealed The lack of effective evacuation sealed the fate of the Sunshine miners.the fate of the Sunshine miners.

Rescuers discovered 36 bodies on the Rescuers discovered 36 bodies on the hoist room floor.hoist room floor.

Scotia – 26 KilledScotia – 26 Killed

Rescue teams Rescue teams proceed cautiously.proceed cautiously.

The first rescue The first rescue attempt resulted in attempt resulted in the deaths of 3 the deaths of 3 federal inspectors federal inspectors and 8 rescue team and 8 rescue team members.members.

1966 – 1976 Mining Deaths1966 – 1976 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

2,1272,127

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

1,8691,869

Time Line - 1977Time Line - 1977

The Federal Mine The Federal Mine Safety and Health Safety and Health Act of 1977 placed Act of 1977 placed coal and coal and metal/nonmetal metal/nonmetal mines under a single mines under a single piece of legislation.piece of legislation.

Training of miners is Training of miners is mandatory under the mandatory under the Act.Act.

Findings and PurposeFindings and Purpose

Congress declares that – Congress declares that –

a)a) The first priority and concern of all The first priority and concern of all in the coal or other mining industry in the coal or other mining industry must be the health and safety of its must be the health and safety of its most precious resource – the miner;most precious resource – the miner;

1977 – 1999 Mining Deaths1977 – 1999 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

1,7871,787

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

1,5531,553

Title 30 CFRTitle 30 CFR

The Mine Safety The Mine Safety and Health Act of and Health Act of 1977 gave rise to a 1977 gave rise to a series of Federal series of Federal regulations known regulations known as Title 30, Code of as Title 30, Code of Federal Federal Regulations.Regulations.

1900 – 1999 Mining Deaths1900 – 1999 Mining Deaths

COALCOAL

104,388104,388

METAL/NONMETALMETAL/NONMETAL

23,24123,241

Mining FatalitiesMining Fatalities

During the 20During the 20thth Century the number of Century the number of mining fatalities totaled:mining fatalities totaled:

127,629127,629