Report of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the Condition of all Mines in Great Britain. To which the provision of the Act 23 & 24 Vict. Cap. 151 do not apply, with reference to the Health and Safety of Persons employed in such mines with Appendices.

  • Great Britain. Royal Commission on Mines.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the Condition of all Mines in Great Britain. To which the provision of the Act 23 & 24 Vict. Cap. 151 do not apply, with reference to the Health and Safety of Persons employed in such mines with Appendices. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    CORXWALL. inquests are conducted seems to us very unsatisfactory, inasmuch as the inquiry is limited to determine whether the death was accidental or not without any reference to the cause of the accident from which it resulted. General Obser- vaiions. Epitome. r. VII. p. 297. A. Epitome. F. 2227. p. 92. H. p. 107. B. c. 8686 p. 29. Wages. ^ZZ E itome. G. g. b. General Observations, Chanqing Houses.—Theze buildings are often far from the footway shafts and are low and ill adapted to their purpose; the light and ventilation are obtained from unglazed openmgs provided only with wooden shatters, whereby thorough draughts are created -that are highly dangerous to the health of the miners just returned in a slate of perspiration from the laborious ascent of the ladders. The men very frequently change m «the dry, (a place where they leave their clothes to be dried bv means of a heated tube,) the atmosphere of which is often most impure, loaded with dust and vapour. In the absence ot proper places for the purpose tlie men often run the risk ot iniury to their health by washing in the open air exposed to the inclemency of the weather, and are frequently driven to the dangerous practice of resorting to the boiler house in order to chano-e and dry their clothes. We had the satisfaction ot inspecting some changing houses, with drys attached, put up at an expense of not more than 100/., well lighted and ventilated and supplied with warm water, but we regret to say that such were rare. « We have reason to believe that the agents and managers ot mines are by no means insensible to many of the defects referred to. and that, as a body they are anxious to promote the safety and comfort of the men placed under their control. With regard to established and well-managed mines, conducted with a view to the legitimate development of the mineral property, the pro- nrietor°s will generally act upon any recommendations made by the accents having for their object the health and safety of the miners: but there are many mines of a more speculative character, in which any outlay beyond what is absolutely necessary is avoided, as tending to diminish the dividends, and consequently to depress the price of the shares in the market. It is probable that in the latter the agents are deterred from sucTcresting evident improvements, which to them may appear to be°hio-hly desirable, from the fear of being considered extravagant and thus incurring the risk of losing their situations. - Waqes-li is somewhat difficult to give a correct statement of the earnings of the men, in consequence of the speculative nature of their work. Miners are divided into tributors and tutwork men. They work in pares or companies of from two to eight men, and for eight hours at a time. 1 he tnbuters earnings are regulated, not only by the amount and qmi ity of the ore brought to the surface, but by its market value at the time it is sold to the smelters. Instances are quoted ot 100/. or