WILSON 
ORGANIZING AND CONDUCTING 
SAFETY WORK IN MI® Technical Paper 103 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
FRANKLIN K. LANE, Secretary 
BUREAU OF MINES 
VAN. H. MANNING, Director 
ORGANIZING AND 
CONDUCTING SAFETY WORK IN MINES 
BY 
HERBERT M. WILSON 
t ♦ • 
AND 
JAMES R. FLEMING 
WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1917 The Bureau of Mines, in carrying out one of the provisions of its organic 
act-to disseminate information concerning investigations made-prints a 
limited free edition of each of its publications. 
When this edition is exhausted copies may be obtained at cost price only 
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
The Superintendent of Documents is not an official of the Bureau of Mines. 
His is an entirely separate office and he should be addressed: 
Superintendent of Documents, 
Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D. C. 
The general law under which publications are distributed prohibits the giv- 
ing of more than one copy of a publication to one person. The price of this 
publication is 20 cents. 
First edition. March, 1917. CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Introduction , 3 
Purpose of the report 4 
Acknowledgments 5 
Organization of safety work 5 
" Safety first " 6 
Statistics 6 
Safety department 16 
Safety inspector 16 
Safety committees 17 
Special inspection 18 
Safety department for small mines 18 
Features of the work 19 
Cooperation 20 
Bonus systems 20 
Education of miners 21 
Personal instruction in safe practices 21 
Instruction in English 22 
Posting rules 30 
Distributing rules in handbooks 30 
Bulletin boards 31 
Suggestion boxes 32 
Meetings and lectures 33 
Safety precepts 34 
Safety measures 36 
Mechanical safeguards 38 
Signs 42 
General precautions 47 
Publications on mine accidents and methods of coal mining 51 
Index 55 
TABLES. 
Table 1. Production, employees, and fatalities in coal mines of United 
States, 1896-1914 10 
2. Comparison of accident statistics of leading coal-producing 
countries, with averages for 10 years, 1901-1910, inclusive 11 
3. Deaths and injuries in and about the coal mines in the United 
States, 1911 - 11 
4. Number of men killed and injured in and about all metal and 
miscellaneous mineral mines (except coal mines) in the United 
States during the calendar year 1914, by causes 12 
1 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
Page. 
Figure 1. Total number killed per 1,000 employed in coal mines of the 
United States; also number killed per 1,000 employed, in 
common and in exceptional accidents, 1870-1914 7 
2. Fatalities in and about the coal mines in the United States in 
1915, by causes 8 
3. Comparison of number of men employed and number killed 
per 1,000 employed in the metal mines of the principal 
countries 8 
4. Fatalities in and about the metal mines in the United States 
in 1914, by causes 9 
5. Ratio of accidental to total deaths, 1907-1910, classified by 
occupations 9 
6. Comparison of fatality rates in different kinds of mines in the 
United States during 1914 9 
7. Sample page of handbook, illustrating unsafe practice in firing 
shots 23 
8. Sample page of handbook, illustrating safe practice 24 
9. Part of page from safety-first book, illustrating method of 
teaching men not to carry matches into the mine 25 
10. Part of a page from safety-first book, instructing men in dan- 
gers from gas 26 
11. Miner working under loose back 27 
12. Miner hurt by fall of rock 27 
13. Man using defective ladder, an unsafe practice 28 
14. The result-man falls from ladder 29 
15. Miners reading bulletin board 32 
16. Suggestion box used at an Illinois mine 33 
17. Steel safety house used at open-pit mine in Minnesota to pro- 
tect workmen from flying rock after a blast 39 
18. Powder shield for loading holes at open-pit mines 39 
19. Boiler valve closed and locked 40 
20. Lathe with covered gears 40 
21. Type of gate at third level of a Michigan mine 41 
22. Self-closing bar gate, open 41 
23. Warning sign used on headframe of a Montana mine 41 
24. Protective device on pulley of self-dumping bucket used at a 
placer mine working frozen gravel in Alaska 42 
25. Safety device for ladders used at a Michigan mine 42 
26. Use of life line with mine-rescue apparatus 43 
27. Standard timbering as a safety precaution in a mine in which 
roof conditions are excellent 43 
28. Electric sign, " Safety first," 2 miles from portal of mine in 
Idaho 44 
29. Danger sign in Pennsylvania coal mine 45 
30. Method used in Illinois mine to fence off old workings without 
interfering with ventilation 45 
31. Safety sign on door of superintendent's office at copper mine in 
Nevada 46 
32. Signboard in a Lake Superior iron mine 47 
33. Guarded emery wheel for grinding tools 48 
34. Unsafe practice-miner standing where he may be injured by 
car 49 
35. The result-miner gets caught by car 50 
2 ORGANIZING AND CONDUCTING SAFETY WORK IN 
MINES. 
By Herbert M. Wilson and James R. Fleming. 
INTRODUCTION. 
During the past few years there has been marked progress in 
safety work by mining companies. Such work has usually been 
started and directed by an executive, with the aid and advice of 
individuals or committees reporting to him, independently of the 
operating department. The practice has been to awaken the interest 
of the employees in the causes, results, and avoidance of accidents; 
to convince them of the genuine desire of the company to bring 
about increased safety; and to obtain the cooperation of officials and 
employees in suggesting and adopting protective measures. 
At first there was some doubt regarding the permanency of a 
movement that had its inspiration in human welfare and for its 
prime purpose the safeguarding of life and limb. The experimental 
stage has passed, however, and from the united work of many hands 
and minds practical results are being obtained. Many mining com- 
panies have been quick to adopt the more desirable safety measures, 
such as the creating of safety departments and the requiring of more 
careful supervision at the mines. Mining laws have been greatly 
improved and more strictly enforced. Various local and national 
organizations have been formed for promoting safety and standard- 
izing methods. The enactment by several States of workmen's com- 
pensation legislation, with the consequent insurance against casual- 
ties, has aided the safety movement. Much progress has been made 
in educational work through various agencies. Altogether the move- 
ment is commanding much attention and must result in saving many 
Jives. 
As has often been the outcome in movements for human welfare, 
additional advantages other than those anticipated at first have 
resulted. Accident prevention has not only meant fewer injuries 
and consequently less suffering and distress to miners and their 
families, but has increased the efficiency of plant operation, so that 
economic gain has followed. The present tendency is toward stand- 
3 4 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
ardization and greater uniformity in the measures vitally affecting 
the safety and health of all employees. It is to be hoped that this 
tendency will fully crystallize, so that the valuable data furnished 
by experience, scientific investigation, and experiment wTill serve as 
a useful basis in solving problems that confront the mining industry. 
Increasing earnestness is being shown throughout the country in 
organizing and establishing the permanence of industrial safety. 
Many industries are now making a systematic attempt to reduce 
accidents. If all industries engage in a similar endeavor, what may 
not be the benefit in one year's time with our present industrial 
accident record of 35,000 men killed and 2,000,000 injured annually? 
The value of organization and of cooperation in this work can not be 
computed in dollars and cents. 
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT. 
The purpose of this paper is to call attention to some of the means 
adopted for promoting greater safety in and around mines, in the 
hope that their presentation will stimulate activity and aid those 
endeavoring to solve safety problems in the different mining fields. 
The paper deals primarily with the organization of safety work, 
which is a fundamental requirement for an effective campaign in 
accident prevention. Concerted action by officials and workmen is 
essential if this economic and humane movement is to have the success 
it merits. 
The Bureau of Mines has received many inquiries regarding safety 
organization and the means of creating and sustaining interest in 
mine safety. To meet this demand the mining engineers of the 
bureau and the authors of this report have devoted much time to col- 
lecting data concerning the methods adopted by those companies that 
maintain safety organizations. 
An endeavor has been made to arrange these data in such a way as 
to present a system for practical application in either large or small 
mines, be they coal or metal. The existing organization of every 
mining concern is adapted to the creation of a safety organization. 
New employees will be necessary only for very large operations. It 
is not expected that a company employing a comparatively small 
number of men would adopt measures on the same scale as a com- 
pany having many large operations, but the same general principles 
apply, and any variations need be those of degree only. The expense 
for safety work will, of course, vary; but experience indicates that 
whatever the investment, it will pay a good dividend. 
No special reference is made to the many mining companies, both 
coal and metal, that have efficient safety organizations in operation, 
but the recommendations presented are based on a study of these. ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
5 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
For the data contained in this report the Bureau of Mines ex- 
presses its indebtedness to the mining industry as a whole; for the 
use of illustrations it is indebted especially to the following com- 
panies: United States Steel Corporation and subsidiary mining com- 
panies; Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co.; Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad 
Co.; New Jersey Zinc Co.; and Anaconda Copper Mining Co. 
The authors particularly desire to acknowledge advice and criti- 
cism of the manuscript by E. II. Weitzel, manager Colorado Fuel & 
Iron Co.; J. P. Reese, general manager of the Superior Coal Co.; 
William Kelly, general manager of the Penn Iron Mining Co.; C. V. 
Jenkins, business manager of the Steptoe Valley Smelting & Mining 
Co.; and C. L. Close, manager of the bureau of safety, relief, sani- 
tation, and welfare, United States Steel Corporation. 
ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
In organizing safety work cordial cooperation and enthusiasm 
are essential. The definite purpose of a safety campaign is the 
immediate reduction of easily preventable accidents and a gradual 
reduction of all accidents. The number of accidents occurring 
annually is convincing proof that the problem demands a vigorous 
and continuous campaign backed by adequate financial support, 
and above all by the active sympathy and energy of some of the 
highest officials in each mining company. Experience has proved 
that satisfactory conduct of a safety campaign requires organization 
for carrying out three branches of work, as follows: 
1. An organization that provides an enthusiastic and hard-working 
safety committee or department, an adequate inspection system, and 
hearty cooperation of officials and employees. 
2. A system of education that will assist all employees to follow 
more carefully the safe and proper methods of work and will keep 
them constantly alert to the need of caution. 
3. A scheme of safety measures designed to eliminate as far as 
possible dangerous conditions that have caused accidents or may 
cause them. 
The approximate relative values of these different factors have 
been estimated by R. J. Young, head of the safety department of 
the Illinois Steel Co., as follows: Organization, 45 per cent; educa- 
tion, 30 per cent; safety measures, 25 per cent. 
In giving relative values to these factors the majority of the 
leading advocates of safety in the various industries place the great- 
est emphasis on organization and education. The lowest value is 
placed on safety measures because of their inadequacy in themselves, 
so far as preventing most accidents is concerned. The figures, 6 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
although a mere approximation at best, form a practical basis for 
promoting safety work. 
" SAFETY FIRST." 
Preventable mine accidents are generally attributed to careless- 
ness, insufficient inspection, inexperience, unsafe practices, lack of 
safeguards, violation of instructions, indifference, defective equip- 
ment, use of intoxicants, insufficient lighting, poor judgment, and 
other indirect causes. The " safety-first " movement aims at minim- 
izing such preventable accidents. " Safety first " means simply that 
safety must be the first consideration during any and all parts of 
the day's work, that every precaution be taken to prevent accidents 
by making conditions as safe as possible and that the best and safest 
methods practicable be always employed so as to avoid unnecessary 
exposure to risk. The purposes of " safety first " are thoroughly 
practical. In some of the leading industries safety campaigns have 
resulted in reducing by 30 per cent, and even 70 per cent, the num- 
ber of accidents that had been occurring annually for a period of 
years. 
The initiative in safety work must be taken by the management. 
Usually in starting an active safety campaign the officials hold a 
public mass meeting at which data showing the possibilities of the 
work are presented to the employees. 
STATISTICS. 
Statistics are of great value for study and comparison, as may be 
seen by carefully examining the data presented in figures 1 to 6, in- 
clusive, and in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4. 7 
ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
Figure 1.-Total number killed per 1,000 employed in coal mines of the United States ; also number killed per 1,000 employed, in common and in 
exceptional accidents, 1870-1914. 8 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Cause of accident. 
Number 
killed. 
Percentage of total number killed. 
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 
2,209 
2,069 
1,079 
347 
304 
155 
89 
16 
12 
1 
66 
40 
160 
100 
91.19 
47.56 
15.29 
13.40 
6.83 
3.92 
.71 
.53 
.04 
2.91 
1.76 
7.05 
Total underground fatalities.... 
Mine cars and locomotives.... 
Gas and coal-dust explosions.. 
Explosives 
Electricity 
Suffocation from mine gases.. 
Mining machines 
Mine fires 
Other causes 
Fatal accidents in shafts 
Fatal accidents on surface 
1 . . . 9 
Figure 2.-Fatalities in and about the coal mines in the United States In 1915, by causes. 
Year. 
Country. 
Number 
employed. 
C 
Killed per 1,000 employed. 
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 
1912 
1908 
7,769 
191,334 
0.93 
.93 
P ortugal 
PuSSia .................. 
1912 
1914 
1912 
1912 
1910 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1912 
1914 
1913 
Austria 
20,890 
23,709 
48,225 
81,921 
13,775 
149,884 
93,591 
6,180 
66,776 
14,435 
12,678 
31,602 
158,115 
223,380 
1.00 
1 01 
v II cal 1)1 ibdiii ........... 
Italy 
1 47 
1 57 
RwpH on 
1 73 
O WuUcLl................. 
Spain 
1 73 
Gfirmanv 
1 85 
Grppep, 
1.94 
A n s tra 1 as ia 
2 47 
2 90 
Afp.xiao 
3 08 
P ran cp 
3.29 
3.52 
3.81 
United States 
Pransvanl 
Figure 3.-Comparison of number of men employed and number killed per 1,000 employed 
in the metal mines of the principal countries. ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
9 
Cause of fatality. 
Number 
killed. 
0 
Percentage of total number killed. 
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 
)0 
Grand total 
Total underground fatalities 
Fall of rock or ore 
Explosives 
Falling down chute, winze, 
raise, or stope. 
Haulage 
Electricity 
Run of ore from chute or pocket. 
Other causes 
559 
100 
192 
49 
48 
31 
8 
5 
33 
8.76 
8.59 
5.55 
1.43 
.89 
5.90 
17.89 
6.62 
10.02 
1 1 1 ■ . - 1 
Total shaft fatalities 
Total surface fatalities 
Total open-pit fatalities 
100 
37 
56 
1 • 
Figure 4.-Fatalities in and about the metal mines in the United States in 1914, by causes. 
Per cent. 
Occupation. 
1 
0 15 2 
25 3 
0 
Metal miners. 
Iron and steel workers 
15.3 
Machinists 
10.0 
Masons 
9.0 
Painters 
8.6 
Carpenters 
7.8 
Textile workers 
Clerks 
7.0 
6.7 
Farmers 
5.8 
Figure 5.--Ratio of accidental to total deaths, 1907-1910, classified by occupations. In 
mining the accidental deaths form a large percentage of the total. On the basis of 
the ratio given, one out of three metal miners, or one out of four coal miners, meets 
death by accident. 
Number of 
employees.- 
Days 
worked. 
Number killed per 1,000 employed, based on number 
of 300-day workers. 
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 
Gold and miscellaneous 
metal mines. 
Iron mines ... 
Copper mines 
Lead and zinc mines 
(Mississippi Valley). 
Miscellaneous mineral 
mines. 
All mines other than 
coal. 
Coal mines 
Quarries 
48,438 
44,807 
44,686 
10,935 
9,249 
158,115 
763,185 
87,936 
273 
262 
287 
254 
235 
271 
207 
233 
4.06 
3.78 
3.85 
4.32 
3.72 
3.92 
4.67 
2.64 
Figure 6.-Comparison of fatality rates in different kinds of mines in the United States 
during 1914. 10 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Table 1 gives fatality figures for the coal mines of the United 
States during the calendar years 1896 to 1914, inclusive. Table 2 gives 
comparative figures of the leading coal-producing countries with 
averages for a 10-year period. Table 3 classifies the deaths and in- 
juries in and about the coal mines in the United States by causes; 
the year 1911 being chosen as a representative year. Falls of roof, 
slate, and coal cause the greatest number of fatal accidents and also 
the greatest number of serious injuries (those involving loss of 20 
or more days of work), and slight injuries (those involving loss of 
less than 20 days' work). Mine cars and locomotives cause many 
accidents, especially serious and slight injuries, as shown. Table 4 
gives similar data for all metal and miscellaneous mineral mines in 
the United States for the year 1914. 
Table 1.-Production, employees, and fatalities in coal mines of United States, 
1896-191Jha 
1914... 
Total. 
1896... 
1897... 
1898... 
1899... 
1900... 
1901... 
1902... 
1903... 
1904... 
1905... 
1906... 
1907... 
1908... 
1909... 
1910... 
1911... 
1912... 
1913... 
Year. 
O' 
OO 
to 
© 
191, 
200, 
219, 
253, 
269, 
293, 
301, 
357, 
351, 
392, 
414, 
480, 
415, 
460, 
501, 
496, 
534, 
570, 
Ql 
IQ 
O' 
O' 
00 
00 
986, 
229, 
976, 
741, 
684, 
299, 
590, 
356, 
816, 
722, 
157, 
363, 
842, 
814, 
596, 
371, 
466, 
048, 
Production, short tons. 
co 
00 
357 
199 
267 
192 
027 
816 
439 
416 
398 
635 
278 
424 
698 
616 
378 
126 
580 
125 
B 
H 
1.02 
.99 
.95 
1.01 
1.14 
]. 19 
1.22 
1.41 
1.26 
1.21 
1.24 
1.28 
1.28 
1.20 
1.25 
1.26 
1.30 
1.33 
Value per ton at mine. 
CD 
s 
393, 
397, 
401, 
410, 
448, 
485, 
518, 
566, 
593, 
626, 
640, 
680, 
690, 
/666, 
725, 
£7728, 
722, 
747, 
Number employed. 
b 
states 
00 
O' 
342 
701 
221 
635 
581 
544 
197 
260 
693 
045 
780 
492 
438 
552 
030 
348 
662 
644 
O' 
GO 
7,133 
185, 
194, 
213, 
243, 
260, 
291, 
296, 
352, 
339, 
386, 
405, 
477, 
409, 
460, 
501, 
496, 
534, 
570, 
$ 
A 
,525 
,464 
122, 
731, 
7.34, 
993, 
164, 
449, 
687, 
064, 
164, 
379, 
955, 
892, 
309, 
807, 
596, 
371, 
466, 
048, 
Short tons. 
0 
Q- 
£ 
CO 
© 
© 
828 
837 
037 
172 
397 
047 
066 
631 
812 
243 
888 
536 
857 
263 
378 
126 
580 
125 
0 
100.G0 
© 
oo 
is 
96.43 
97.25 
97.16 
96.16 
96.47 
99.37 
98.37 
98. 52 
96.40 
98.38 
98. 02 
99.49 
98.43 
99.99 
100.00 
100.00 
100. 00 
100.00 
Percentage 
of total. 
O 
P 
States 
den 
'ortiori 
fa-4 
CO CD 
»-* 
© 
CO 
00 
O' 
,062,477 
380,477 
388,585 
391,841 
395,607 
432,448 
480,807 
510,217 
556,581 
573,373 
615,368 
630,283 
674,613 
678,873 
666,535 
725,030 
728,348 
722,662 
747,644 
Number em- 
ployed. c 
Employ 
orting a 
United 
© 
o 
S 
96. 73 
97.71 
97. 66 
96.34 
96.40 
99. 02 
98. 46 
98. 29 
96.58 
98.29 
98.36 
99.14 
98.32 
99.99 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
Percentage 
of total, c 
CD 
0 
f/2 
CD 
States 
2,454 
138,918 
1,083 
990 
1,062 
1,241 
1,489 
1,574 
1,724 
1,926 
1,995 
2,232 
2,138 
3,242 
2,445 
2,642 
2,821 
2,656 
2,419 
2,785 
Total, c 
Tola 
1 under 
GO 
© 
Per 1,000 employ- 
to 
to 
O' 
ed. 
- 
a> 
CD 
4^ 
O' 
Per 1,000,000 tons 
CD 
s 
©W0it0W-<l00,M00 00M»-'OK300*4Q0Cn 
mined. 
to 
© 
OO 
170 
196 
201 
196 
174 
185 
172 
182 
170 
173 
189 
147 
167 
174 
177 
186 
220 
204 
Production per death 
short 
O 
P 
m 
to 
0> 
1,320 
,935 
,699 
,256 
,610 
,724 
,165 
',092 
,796 
',007 
,109 
', 876 
,407 
,407 
,416 
,808 
',887 
i,945 
,685 
tons, e 
to 
© 
185 
179 
190 
214 
212 
216 
197 
220 
202 
212 
209 
231 
195 
'220 
220 
225 
238 
Days worked. 
CD 
o 
co 
o 
co 
►-* 
487 
501 
545 
617 
602 
606 
581 
633 
592 
628 
644 
708 
603 
691 
692 
682 
740 
762 
Per year. 
B 
3.25 
1 
2.63 
2.80 
2.87 
2.88 
2.84 
2. 81 
2.95 
2.88 
2.93 
2. 96 
3.08 
3.06 
3.09 
3.'i5 
3. 10 
3.29 
3. 20 
Per day. 
rage 
lage 
jr 
a Fay, A. H,, Coal mine fatalities. Bull. 115, Bureau of Mines, 1915, p. 11. 
b Mineral Resources, U. S. Geol. Survey. 
c Summation based on State mine inspectors' reports. 
d Number employed, selected from Mineral Resources, U. S. Geol. Survey, 
e Calculated on basis of production represented by inspection States. • 
/ Bureau of Census. 
g Bureau of Mines. 11 
ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
Table 2.-Comparison of accident statistics of leading coal-producing countries, 
with averages for 10 years, 1901-1910, inclusive® 
Country. 
Average 
production 
(short tons) 
per year. 
Average 
number 
em- 
ployed 
per year. 
Average number killed. 
Average 
produc- 
tion per 
death 
(short 
tons). 
Per 
year. 
Per 1,000 
em- 
ployed. 
Per 
million 
short 
tons 
mined. 
United States 
389,269,000 
607,438 
2,270 
3.74 
5.83 
172,000 
Great Britain 
274' 794' 000 
890,434 
1,210 
1.36 
4.40 
227,000 
Germany 
134,785,000 
482,132 
B017 
2.11 
7.55 
133,000 
France. ' 
38,785' 000 
178,749 
'302 
1.69 
7.79 
128; 000 
Belgium 
25'540^000 
139,597 
142 
1.02 
5.56 
180,000 
Japan 
13; 604', 000 
105,924 
309 
2.92 
22.71 
44', 000 
India 
10'112,000 
94,346 
91 
0.96 
9.00 
in; ooo 
Austria 
14, 046; 000 
68', 288 
71 
1.04 
5.05 
198,000 
New South Wales 
8, 013' 000 
15,252 
27 
1.74 
3.70 
297,000 
a Compiled from statistics published in Coal-Mine Accidents in the United States and Foreign Countries, 
by F. W. Horton, Bull. 69, Bureau of Mines, 1913. 
Table 3.-Deaths and injuries in and about the coal mines in the United States, 
1911.a 
Cause of accident. 
Fatalities. 
Serious 
injuries. 6 
Slight 
injuries, c 
Total 
deaths 
and 
injur- 
ies. 
Total. 
Per 
cent. 
Total. 
Per 
cent. 
Total. 
Per 
cent. 
Falls of roof (coal, rock, etc.) 
1,173 
43.14 
3,052 
33.52 
6,259 
28.16 
10,484 
Falls of coal (other than roof coal) 
' 148 
5.44 
'915 
10.05 
2,107 
9.48 
3'. 170 
Mine cars and locomotives 
393 
14.45 
2,179 
23.93 
5,570 
25.06 
8,142 
Gas explosions and burning gas 
99 
3.64 
365 
4.01 
329 
1.48 
793 
Coal-dust explosions d 
271 
9.97 
9 
0.10 
16 
0.08 
296 
" Blown-out or windy shots" 
9 
0.33 
43 
0.47 
54 
0.25 
106 
Explosives 
134 
4.93 
317 
3. 48 
230 
- 1.03 
681 
Suffocation from mine gases 
8 
0.29 
7 
0.08 
24 
0.11 
39 
Electricity (shock or burns) 
87 
3.20 
63 
0.69 
212 
0.95 
362 
Animals 
7 
0.26 
206 
2.26 
854 
3.84 
1,067 
Mining machines 
13 
0.48 
245 
2.69 
645 
2.90 
903 
Machines other than locomotives and mining 
machines 
2 
0.08 
0.49 
160 
0.71 
207 
Mine fires (burned, suffocated, etc.) 
80 
2.94 
6 
0.07 
22 
0.10 
108 
Other causes .' 
49 
1.80 
634 
7.29 
3,376 
15.19 
4,089 
Total underground accidents 
2,473 
90.95 
8,116 
89.13 
19, .858 
89.34 
30,447 
Falling down shafts or slopes 
42 
1.54 
31 
0.34 
22 
0.10 
95 
Objects falling down shafts or slopes 
4 
0.15 
35 
0.38 
103 
0.46 
142 
Breaking of cables, chains, etc 
3 
0.11 
8 
0.09 
15 
0.07 
26 
Overwinding 
1 
0.04 
9 
0.10 
12 
0.05 
22 
Other causes. 
13 
0.48 
34 
0.37 
62 
0.28 
109 
Total shaft accidents 
63 
2.32 
117 
1.28 
214 
0.96 
394 
Mine cars and mine locomotives 
45 
274 
3.01 
534 
2. 40 
853 
Electricity (shock or burns) 
7 
0.26 
9 
0.10 
35 
0.16 
51 
Machinery 
33 
1.21 
192 
2.11 
430 
1.93 
655 
Boiler explosions 
3 
0.11 
10 
0.11 
13 
0.06 
26 
Railway cars and locomotives 
32 
1.18 
92 
1.01 
215 
0.97 
339 
Other causes ; 
63 
2.32 
296 
3.25 
929 
4.18 
1,288 
Total surface accidents 
183 
6.73 
873 
9.59 
2,156 
9.70 
3,212 
Grand total 
2,719 
100.00 
9,106 
100.00 
22,228 
100.00 
34,053 
a Compiled from statistics in Coal-Mine Accidents in the United States and Foreign Countries, by F. W. 
Horton, Bull. 69, Bureau of Mines, 1913. 
b Involving loss of 20 or more days' work. 
c Loss of less than 20 days' work. . . 
d These dust explosions may have been started by powder or gas explosions or other initiating causes. 12 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Table 4.-Number of men killed and injured in and about all metal and miscel 
calendar year 
Killed underground. 
Kind of mine. 
Fall of rock or ore from roof 
or wall. 
Rock or ore while loading at 
working face. 
Timber or hand tools. 
Explosives. 
Haulage accidents. 
Falling down chute, winze, 
raise, or stope. 
Run of ore from chute or 
pocket. 
Drilling accidents. 
Electricity. 
Machinery (not including 
locomotives or drills). 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Copper 
57 
2 
14 
10 
22 
4 
1 
5 
Gohl and miscellaneous metal 
Iron 
52 
51 
1 
3 
1 
22 
8 
6 
13 
21 
5 
1 
2 
3 
I cad and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
20 
1 
1 
4 
1 
Miscellaneous mineral 
5 
1 
2 
Total 
185 
7 
3 
49 
31 
48 
5 
3 
8 
1 
Percentage of grand total killed... 
Percentage of class total killed.... 
Number killed per 1,000 em- 
ployed underground b 
33.09 
50.55 
1.82 
1.25 
1.91 
.07 
.54 
.82 
.03 
8.76 
13.39 
.48 
5.55 
8.47 
.30 
8.59 
13.11 
.47 
.89 
1.37 
.05 
.54 
.82 
.03 
1.43 
2.19 
.08 
.18 
.27 
.01 
NUMBER KILLED. 
Copper 
Gold and miscellaneous metal 
486 
259 
269 
45 
142 
62 
41 
37 
262 
106 
81 
49 
36 
15 
65 
47 
1 
9 
19 
Iron 
313 
115 
209 
42 
267 
56 
42 
53 
3 
11 
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
51 
4 
3 
6 
19 
4 
3 
4 
Miscellaneous mineral 
9 
9 
5 
4 
15 
1 
7 
1 
2 
Total 
1,118 
442 
421 
130 
669 
191 
93 
175 
5 
45 
Percentage of grand total seriously 
injured 
Percentage of class total seriously 
22.04 
8.71 
8.30 
2.56 
13.19 
3.76 
1.83 
3.45 
.10 
.89 
injured 
Number seriously injured per 
1,000 employed underground 6.. 
29.69 
11.74 
11.18 
3. 45 
17.76 
5.07 
2.47 
4.65 
.13 
1.19 
11.00 
4.35 
4.14 
1.28 
6.58 
1.88 
.92 
1.72 
.05 
.44 
NUMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED. 
NUMBER SLIGHTLY INJURED. 
Copper 
Gold and miscellaneous metal 
2,529 
1,634 
961 
84 
1,081 
353 
282 
515 
20 
51 
966 
427 
466 
35 
503 
174 
131 
369 
4 
45 
Iron 
1,219 
762 
793 
43 
843 
86 
137 
320 
17 
42 
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
252 
235 
69 
38! 
4 
174 
16 
6 
87 
3 
18 
Miscellaneous mineral 
20 
53 
20 
33 
3 
22 
3 
3 
Total 
4,986 
3,111 
2,309 
204 
2,634 
632 
556 
1,313 
47 
159 
Percentage of grand total slightly 
injured 
19.83 
12. 37 
9.18 
.81 
10.48 
2.51 
2.21 
5.22 
.19 
.63 
Percentage of class total slightly 
injured 
25.53 
15.93 
11.82 
1.04 
13.49 
3. 24 
2.85 
6.72 
.24 
.81 
Number slightly injured per 1,000 
employed undergrounds 
49.07 
30. 62 
22. 72 
2.01 
25.92 
6.22 
5.47 
12.92 
.46 
1.56 
a Fay, A. H., Metal-mine accidents in the United States during the calendar year 1914, Tech. Paper 129, 
Bureau of Mines, 1916, pp. 14-17. 
b Casualty rate per 1,000 employed is based on underground employees for underground accidents, and 
on surface employees for surface accidents. 13 
ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
laneous mineral mines (except coal mines) m the United States during the 
J914, by causes.11 
1.79 
2.73 
.10 
5 
bo bo 
to 
M 
Mine fires. 
.18 
.0! 
*-• 
to 
Suffocation from natural 
gases. 
5 
Ch 
1.43 
2.19 
.08 
oo 
00 ' 
GO 
Inrush of water. 
undergr 
Stepping on nail. 
5 
r 
1.25 
1.91 
.07 
-u 
to 
& 
Other causes. 
antinued. 
65. 47 
100. 00 
3.60 
GO 
CO 
119 
116 
93 
30 
8 
Total, underground. 
6.08 
34.00 
.33 
S£ 
WOWQO 
co 
Falling down shafts. 
1.79 
10.00 
.10 
o 
to to bO 
►-* 
Objects falling down shafts. 
.36 
2.00 
.02 
63 
' to 
00 
Breaking of cables. 
co 
Overwinding. 
ad in shaft. 
7.70 
43.00 
.42 
co 
>-* 
to 
o 
Skip or cage. 
1.96 
11.00 
.11 
to co 
to 
Other causes. 
17. 89 
100. 00 
.98 
o 
o 
28 
38 
27 
7 
Total, shaft. 
NUMBER KILLED. 
4 
226 
1, 622 
8 
12 
30 
24 
74 
4 
2 
74 
719 
6 
6 
3 
18 
11 
44 
..... 
3 
6 
145 
1,265 
8 
9 
1 
24 
13 
55 
12 
106 
3 
3 
4 
2 
12 
1 
54 
4 
3 
12 
458 
3,766 
25 
30 
3 
1 
76 
50 
185 
.08 
.06 
.23 
9.03 
74.23 
.49 
.59 
.06 
.02 
1.50 
.99 
3.65 
.11 
.08 
.32 
12.16 
100. 00 
13.51 
16.22 
1.62 
.54 
41.08 
27.03 
100.00 
.04 
.03 
.12 
4.51 
37.06 
.24 
.30 
.03 
.01 
.75 
.49 
1.82 
NUMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED. 
NUMBER SLIGHTLY INJURED. 
1 
3 
104 
1,553 
9,171 
8 
59 
60 
45 
172 
1 
11 
34 
630 
3 796 
9 
33 
6 
1 
25 
23 
97 
5 
12 
74 
756 
5' 109 
4 
39 
1 
62 
50 
156 
8 
363 
1 269 
4 
21 
35 
28 
88 
2 
23 
186 
• 
2 
2 
2 
19 
12 
222 
3,325 
19, 531 
25 
152 
6 
2 
184 
146 
515 
.01 
.08 
.05 
.88 
13.23 
77.68 
.10 
•» 
.02 
.01 
.73 
.58 
2.05 
.01 
.10 
.06 
1.M 
17.02 
100. 00 
4.85 
29.51 
1.17 
.39 
35.73 
28.35 
100. 00 
.02 
.10 
12 
2.18 
32.72 
192.20 
.25 
1.49 
.06 
.02 
1.81 
1.44 
5.07 14 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Table 4.-Number of men killed and injured in and about all metal and miscel 
calendar year 191.'/, 
NUMBER KILLED. 
Kind of mine. 
Surface (shops and power plants). 
Mine cars, mine loco- 
motives, or aerial 
trams. 
Railway cars and loco- 
motives. 
Run or fall of ore in or 
from ore bins. 
Falls of persons. 
Stepping on nail. 
Hand tools, axes, bars, 
etc. 
Electricity. 
Machinery. 
1 
5 
o 
Total, surface. 
22 
23 24 
25 
26 
27 
4 
28 
23 
30 
Copper 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
3 
3 
2 
2 
1 
8 
11 
11 
2 
5 
Gold and miscellaneous metal 
Iron 
2 
2 
3 
1 
2 
1 
1 
I.ead and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
Miscellaneous mineral. * 
2 
1 
2 
Total 
3 
7 
5 
4 
6 
4 
8 
37 
Percentage of grand total killed... 
Percentage of class total killed.... 
Number killed per 1,000 employed 
on the surface 
.54 
8.11 
.05 
1.25 
18.92 
.12 
.89 
13.51 
.09 
.72 
10.81 
.07 
1.07 
16.21 
.11 
.72 
10.81 
.07 
1.43 
21.62 
.14 
6. 62 
100. 00 
.65 
NUMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED. 
Copper 
24 
4 
10 
32 
4 
44 
2 
34 
70 
224 
Gold and miscellaneous metal 
10 
2 
3 
10 
13 
1 
26 
24 
89 
Iron 
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
Miscellaneous mineral 
30 
2 
10 
1 
1 
4 
2 
2 
60 
4 
5 
3 
1 
29 
5 
1 
38 
6 
3 
72 
7 
8 
246 
28 
20 
Total 
66 
18 
21 
111 
8 
92 
3 
107 
181 
607 
Percentage of grand total seriously 
injured 
Percentage of class total seriously 
injured 
1.30 
10.87 
.36 
2.96 
.41 
3.46 
2.19 
18.29 
.16 
1.32 
1.81 
15.16 
.06 
.49 
2.11 
17.63 
3.57 
29.82 
11. 97 
100. 00 
Number seriously injured per 1,000 
employed on the surface a 
1.17 
.32 
.37 
1.97 
.14 
1.63 
.05 
1.89 
3.20 
10.74 
NUMBER SLIGHTLY INJURED. 
Copper 
Gold and miscellaneous metal 
Iron 
81 
35 
54 
18 
26 
20 
30 
11 
18 
68 
39 
136 
38 
19 
52 
144 
80 
156 
8 
5 
7 
73 
45 
76 
302 
181 
365 
762 
441 
884 
Lead and zinc (Mississippi Valley) 
12 
6 
9 
12 
14 
34 
2 
18 
139 
246 
Miscellaneous mineral 
9 
5 
6 
21 
14 
20 
1 
14 
86 
176 
Total 
191 
75 
74 
276 
137 
434 
23 
226 
1,073 
2,509 
Percentage of grand total slightly 
injured 
.76 
.30 
. 29 
1.10 
.54 
1. 73 
.09 
.90 
4.27 
9. 98 
Percentage of class total slightly 
injured L. 
7.61 
2.99 
2.95 
11.00 
5.46 
17.30 
.92 
9.01 
42.76 
100. 00 
Number slightly injured per 1,000 
employed on the surface <. 
3.38 
1.33 
4.89 
2.42 
7. 68 
.41 
4.00 
18.99 
44. 41 
a Casualty rates per 1,000 employed is based on underground employees for underground accidents and 
on surface employees for surface accidents. ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY WORK. 
15 
laneous mineral mines (except coal mines) in the United States during the 
hy causes-Continued. 
NUMBER KILLED. 
3.22 
32.14 
.32 
oo 
w 
Falls or slides of rock 
or ore. 
Open pit. 
1.96 
19.64 
.19 
K) OO Ci 
CO 
to 
Explosives. 
1. 61 
16.07 
.16 
cn m w 
co 
Haulage accidents (lo- 
comotives, etc.). 
.18 
1.79 
.02 
co 
Steam shovels. 
.72 
7.14 
.07 
- 
h- to 
co 
m 
Falls of persons. 
g 
.18 
1.79 
h- 
co 
05 
Falls of derricks, 
booms, etc. 
Run or fall of ore in or 
from ore bins. 
.89 
8.93 
.09 
C0 
co 
00 
Machinery (other than 
locomotives or 
steam shovels). 
.54 
5.36 
.05 
w 
to 
co 
C0 
Electricity. 
o 
Hand tools. 
5 XS 
£ 
Other causes. 
10.02 
100.00 
.99 
CH 
C5 
£ h- £ 5 
Total, open pit. 
1 
3. 54 
100. 00 
Ui 
UI 
C£> 
165 
179 
148 
40 
27 
1914 
Grand total. 
3.57 
05 
co 
W 
236 
210 
165 
42 
30 
1913 
3.91 
OS 
05 
239 
176 
172 
54 
20 
1912 
4.19 
05 
CO 
UI 
238 
193 
197 
43 
24 
1911 
NUMBER SERIOUSLY INJURED. 
21 
17 
25 
5 
6 
1 
10 
2 
4 
26 
117 
2,037 
2,195 
1,807 
1,326 
2 
4 
1 
10 
19 
9 
14 
59 
'911 
'632 
'613 
540 
52 
17 
43 
27 
24 
4 
6 
25 
87 
285 
1,851 
2,820 
1,800 
2,032 
13 
9 
3 
3 
9 
6 
11 
54 
146 
128 
91 
152 
147 
135 
177 
94 
88 
38 
78 
32 
43 
8 
44 
2 
44 
138 
515 
5,073 
5,890 
4,502 
4,163 
1.73 
.75 
1.53 
.63 
.85 
.16 
.86 
.04 
.86 
2. 74 
10.15 
100. 00 
17.09 
7.38 
15.15 
6.21 
8.35 
1.55 
8.54 
.39 
8.54 
26.80 
100.00 
1.56 
.67 
1.38 
.57 
.76 
.14 
.78 
.04 
.78 
2. 44 
9.12 
32. 08 
30.79 
26.61 
25.12 
NUMBER SLIGHTLY INJURED. 
282 
67 
137 
47 
140 
1 
50 
2 
88 
411 
1,225 
11,330 
4,690 
6,922 
11,168 
11,830 
3,180 
8,707 
1,849 
9,016 
3,078 
43 
1 
6 
22 
5 
78 
3 
111 
87 
356 
3', 223 
91 
18 
83 
73 
77 
5 
13 
115 
298 
773 
10,653 
1,345 
692 
8,690 
1,311 
313 
1 
1 
2 
1,605 
596 
36 
6 
25 
1 
15 
1 
2 
23 
1 
32 
90 
232 
666 
453 
92 
251 
121 
255 
6 
8 
164 
6 
346 
886 
2,588 
25,143 
27,081 
26,232 
22,408 
1. 80 
.37 
1.00 
.48 
1. 02 
.02 
.03 
.65 
.02 
1.38 
3.52 
10.29 
100. 00 
17.50 
3.55 
9.70 
4. 68 
9. 85 
.23 
.31 
6.34 
.23 
13.37 
34.24 
100.00 
8.02 
1.63 
4.44 
2.14 
4. 51 
.11 
.14 
2.90 
.11 
6.13 
15.68 
45. 81 
159. 02 
141. 58 
155.04 
135.01 16 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
SAFETY DEPARTMENT. 
An organization imbued with the value and importance of pre- 
venting accidents must get its inspiration from the president or 
owner. This must be passed down with undiminished vigor through 
the general manager, superintendent, foreman, and subordinates. 
The never-flagging interest of these officials in the safety of their 
workmen must be expressed and reiterated through the medium of 
rigid inspection, the installation of safety appliances, safety com- 
mittees, the posting of notices and warnings, promotion of first aid 
and rescue training, provision for care of injured, and such educa- 
tional means as lectures, rallies, and miners' field meets. 
Of interest in this connection is the following announcement taken 
from the first issue of the Anode, a bulletin published monthly by the 
Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in the interest of safety work: 
ANNOUNCEMENT. 
The Anaconda Copper Mining Co. expects all superintendents and foremen 
to make every effort to prevent injury to employees. All practices which are 
likely to be the cause of an accident must be stopped. Much good can be 
accomplished by designing new construction and machinery with all practical 
safeguards, and you should take steps to see that this is done. Help to make 
and keep the mines and plants safe. 
Expenditures necessary for such purposes will be authorized. Nothing 
which will add to the protection of the workmen should be neglected. The 
safety and welfare of the workmen is of the greatest concern. 
Organization of safety work naturally differs somewhat in the 
various mining fields, largely in consequence of local conditions, 
whether the mines are coal or metal, and the number of men em- 
ployed. With certain changes to suit large or small operations the 
following scheme has proved successful and should serve as a basis 
for new organizations: 
SAFETY INSPECTOR. 
A large company operating several mines should have a safety 
department, in charge of a safety inspector or a safety engineer, 
depending upon the number of mines and the extent of the oper- 
ations. His services should be devoted solely to safety work, inde- 
pendent of the operating department, and he should report directly 
to the executive. A person charged with and responsible to the 
executive for the adoption and enforcement of safety measures is 
far more effective in producing results than any committee. 
The department chief may have one or more assistant inspectors 
for carrying on the work according to the extent of the territory 
and the number of operations under his supervision. Regular and 
careful inspections of all equipment and of conditions in every mine SAFETY DEPARTMENT. 
17 
are made and proper safety measures are introduced. The inspector 
should receive the cooperation and active support of superintendents 
and foremen in furthering such work. 
In smaller operations the safety work must necessarily be more 
closely associated with the operating department, in which event 
the inspector may perform duties other than those connected with 
mine inspection. 
The mine rescue and first-aid department usually comes under the 
supervision of the inspector. In some instances the inspector is called 
upon to assist in the welfare and educational work and to encourage, 
with the view of improving health conditions, better standards of 
living among the employees. 
SAFETY COMMITTEES. 
Some or all of the following committees should be maintained ac- 
cording to the size and number of the various operations controlled 
by each company: 
1. A central safety committee, composed of the general manager, 
general superintendent, chief engineer, inspector, secretary, or other 
officials, which should hold monthly meetings. Reports and recom- 
mendations of the inspector and of subcommittees should be received 
and if practical put into effect, the causes of accidents studied and 
classified, and steps taken to avoid the recurrence of similar accidents. 
Regular trips of inspection should be made and greater impetus 
given the movement by frequent public meetings in the interest of 
safety. Due publicity will thereby be given in addition to the con- 
stant evidence afforded by the work as it progresses. 
2. A plant safety committee composed of the superintendent, as- 
sistant superintendent, mine foremen, captains,0 firebosses, electrical 
engineer, mechanical engineer, mining engineer, and chief clerk. In 
the smaller operations this committee might be substituted for the 
central safety committee and perform the functions outlined above; 
in this event the inspector would be a member ex officio. Reports 
should be submitted to the executive head, usually the general super- 
intendent. The members of this committee would be the active 
agents in carrying out the provisions of the law and such measures 
as may be adopted for promoting safety. This committee should 
hold regular monthly meetings for the consideration and discussion 
of all safety problems and submit monthly a detailed written report 
stating the progress made, with recommendations. These reports 
would give the judgment and recommendations of men who have 
had the most intimate experience with all the various divisions of 
underground work and would tend to standardize underground 
practice as a whole. It is extremely important that the foremen be- 
a Metal-mining term for underground foreman. 18 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
come actively interested, as it is the foremen who must enforce the 
rules finally adopted, and service in the committee best acquaints them 
with the reasons for these rules. 
3. At each mine a mine safety committee should be organized, con- 
sisting of men doing different kinds of work and usually of dif- 
ferent nationalities. This committee would make regular monthly 
inspections and submit written reports, with recommendations, di- 
rectly to the central safety committee or the executive. The commit- 
tee should consist of three members appointed by the superintendent 
or the foreman or elected by the miners as conditions may indicate 
will prove most satisfactory and effective. Each member should 
serve two to four months and be succeeded by a new member, so that 
in time a large number of men of various nationalities wrnuld have 
been in a position where they would feel individual responsibility 
and could more readily understand the need of cooperation. All 
members of this committee should be furnished with a safety but- 
ton specially designed for each company, the ex-members retaining 
theirs in honorary membership. Inspection trips of such workmen's 
committees tend greatly to interest the men. Better cooperation is 
insured and habits of indifference and carelessness are discouraged. 
For all time spent in this "work, the members of the committee should 
receive their regular pay. Mixed committees of workmen and fore- 
men and other officials have been appointed at some mines. Such 
committees, acting as plant committees, have the advantage of bring- 
ing the management and men together in work for greater safety, 
and induce a comparison of viewpoints. 
In addition to the inspection provided by law some companies 
have established special systems of inspection by dividing the mines 
into separate sections, each embracing 25 to 40 men and being under 
the direct supervision of an assistant foreman or safety boss, who must 
visit and inspect during the day at two to three hour intervals all 
working places, give instructions, and see personally that his orders 
are understood and carried out. As the greatest number of injuries 
and fatalities happen in working places and are caused by falls of 
roof, ore, or coal, such a system commends itself as a practical means 
of getting results. 
SPECIAL INSPECTION. 
SAFETY DEPARTMENT FOR SMALL MINES. 
At small mines employing 50 to 100 men, or even in some of the 
larger mines where the employment of a special safety inspector is 
not warranted, safety organization can probably be advanced best 
through a safety department formed by the local management. This 19 
SAFETY DEPARTMENT. 
work to be successful must have the active sympathy and support of 
one of the higher officials of the company, preferably the one acting 
as a safety inspector. The mine superintendent might have imme- 
diate direction of the safety work and be empowered to adopt any 
desired safety measures for any particular mine. 
A plant committee composed of the superintendent, foreman, and 
assistants, and a mine safety committee composed of three repre- 
sentative workmen could proceed along the same lines as outlined 
for larger mines and with greater thoroughness. Such committee 
work does not in any way replace the more valuable supervision and 
careful and frequent daily underground inspections by. foremen and 
assistants, but supplements them and stimulates interest in safety. 
Safety is a personal matter, and the personal contact of officials and 
men in small mines is an advantage that should result in a rapid 
response to the safety idea. Educational work can be promoted in 
its entirety and safety measures adopted on a scale affecting the 
greatest number of workmen. 
A group of small mines separately owned may advantageously 
cooperate in a joint safety organization, perhaps associated with a 
central rescue station. 
FEATURES OF THE WORK. 
Many of the following desirable results have been the direct out- 
come of safety work: 
Enthusiasm for safety work; 
Excellent discipline; 
Systematization of rules and regulations; 
Rules printed in various languages for the benefit of all employees; 
Systematic posting of danger signs and signboards; 
Uniformity in signals; 
Regular and frequent inspections; 
Unsafe conditions promptly reported and remedied. 
Dangerous machinery safeguarded; 
Careful investigation of all accidents with detailed reports on how to avoid 
another similar accident; 
Frequent public meetings in the interest of safety; 
Maintenance of suggestion boxes and bulletin boards; 
Increased use of fireproof material in construction; 
Provision for emergencies in case of accidents, explosions, and fires, with 
necessary equipment and well-trained teams in first aid, mine rescue, and fire 
fighting; 
Frequent inspection of emergency equipment; 
Promotion of sanitation and welfare work; 
Promotion of general educational work. 
Such work cultivates the necessary spirit of enthusiasm and 
cooperation. The inspection trips acquaint all workmen with the 
endeavors toward safety; the work is advertised, and every man 20 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
knows that special effort is being made to reduce accidents. Work- 
men who serve on committees have a feeling of individual responsi- 
bility and consider membership an honor. At many mines printed 
bulletins dealing entirely with safety matters are issued periodically. 
Interest is further stimulated by the award of banners and prizes 
to divisions having the best records in accident prevention. 
COOPERATION. 
Although it appears that much recklessness exists among indus- 
trial workers, every man has an inherent desire to save life, whether 
it be his own or that of another. Because of the hazards of mining, 
there is a natural fellowship among miners which has often been 
evidenced by heroic acts done without desire for reward. Will not 
men- who risk their lives to save those of their fellows be equally 
willing to make a mine safer? This question can undoubtedly 
be answered in the affirmative when the men fully realize how much 
they can do to prevent accidents. Every working day in the coal 
mines of our country 50 men are either killed or severely injured 
and approximately 100 more receive less serious injuries. In the 
metal mines 20 men are either killed or severely injured daily, and 
the number of those less seriously injured approximates the number 
in coal mining, although the total number employed is less than one- 
fourth of that employed in coal mining. Every miner who has had 
such facts brought to his notice may be expected to give his hearty 
cooperation to a work that so vitally concerns him. 
Mine operators realize that it is to their advantage to promote 
safety. The decrease of fatalities and injuries is always accom- 
panied by an economic gain. Every accident impairs the working 
efficiency of an organization, causes delay, curtails production. 
Individual effort toward accident prevention is being recognized 
and rewarded. Foremen are such essential factors in accident pre- 
vention that there is a growing tendency to select as foremen 
those men who are most careful to avoid accidents. 
BONUS SYSTEMS. 
One promising innovation of the safety movement is the bonus 
system now used by many companies. Under this system foremen 
and assistant foremen receive a cash bonus each month for good 
records in preventing accidents during any one working month, 
and an additional bonus for a record entirely free for a period of 
six months or more. Demerits incurred through accidents in any 
one month can be worked off in subsequent months. One large com- 
pany has maintained a bonus system for four and one-half years at 
a cost of 0.15 cent per ton of coal produced. Score boards of various 
kinds are maintained for comparisons of months, years, or depart- EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
21 
ments. Such a system naturally creates a desire among the foremen 
to cooperate with the management in promoting safety work. 
The necessary interest and cooperation of the workmen can be 
secured only when the company shows an attitude of absolute frank- 
ness in dealing with the matter. Companies that have had the long- 
est experience in safety work emphasize' the necessity of securing 
the confidence of employees so that the latter may see and perform 
their part in achieving the desired end. 
EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
Education is the foundation rock in accident prevention. Edu- 
cation and inspection can, it is believed, eliminate the majority of 
the preventable accidents. The word education as here used does 
not imply such training as will make engineers, foremen, or mine 
managers, but simply the direct training of the average miner so 
that he may know clearly how to do his daily work with greater 
personal safety. The following pages deal with the most widely 
adopted means for promoting the safety movement through educa- 
tion. 
PERSONAL INSTRUCTION IN SAFE PRACTICES. 
Although it is true that many experienced miners meet serious 
injury, this is due largely to the fact that such miners are granted 
many more privileges than the inexperienced man, do all the most 
dangerous mining, and have probably grown unresponsive to 
thoughts of personal safety through daily contact with danger. 
It is natural to expect that conditions favor the experienced and 
thoughtful miner, and it is an established fact that the careful 
worker is as a rule the most efficient. 
The number of miners, motormen, drivers, and trip riders or 
brakemen, who meet accidents caused by carelessness emphasizes 
the necessity of pointing out the reckless and dangerous practices 
that are often contracted. Training and education are necessary 
for safety and efficiency, and therefore all classes and types of labor 
should be interested in accident prevention. 
Especially should all new workmen receive instruction in a lan- 
guage they understand, as to proper and safe methods of work. It 
is particularly important that they be warned of dangers apparent 
only to intelligent and experienced workmen and be shown how 
to avoid such dangers. Practical instruction at the working face 
supplemented by illustrated classroom talks should be given on how 
and when to set timber, precaution in testing the roof or back, use 
of safety lamps and portable electric lamps, handling explosives, 
blocking cars in rooms, and underground traveling to and from 22 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
work. Experience is a good teacher, but the risk involved in per- 
mitting the inexperienced miner to pursue his own methods is too 
great. A miner should possess knowledge that will enable him to 
work in comparative safety when left to his own resources. Such 
instruction makes both an efficient workman and a useful citizen 
out of a new recruit, and is greatly promoted by an adequate inspec- 
tion system that gives personal directions whenever and wherever 
required. 
INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH. 
The Roberts system of instruction in English has greatly simpli- 
fied the problem that confronts all industries that employ non- 
English-speaking labor. The need of an instruction system has been 
pointed out by Roberts® as follows: 
Sixty-two per cent of the men employed in the bituminous coal industry 
are foreign born. A larger percentage is found in the anthracite coal industry. 
These men represent more than 26 nationalities. * * * The question we 
must face is, What is the relation of the existing variety of languages among 
employees to the loss of life and property in this hazardous industry? 
Our record of fatal and nonfatal injuries will not compare with that of 
Great Britain or Germany, and one of the prime causes for this is the fact that 
in the United States employers have heterogeneous groups to deal with, whereas 
in Europe the men digging coal are more homogeneous. Every mining plant 
is a unit, and the men who fructify the capital put into it make an organization 
which must be harmonious in order that the greatest degree of security to 
life, limb, and property may be attained. This result can only be secured by 
every member of the organization being able to communicate with every other 
member, or in other words the organization ought to have a common medium 
of communication to get the best results. * * * 
Therefore the only practical solution is for every foreign-speaking man in 
the mine to learn to talk English, so that he can communicate with the boss 
and the boss communicate with him, or the men communicate with one another. 
This can be done. Given a practical system, intelligent, capable, and sympa- 
thetic teachers, the cooperation of the employers, and the indorsement of the 
employees, and in a year every man in a mine would have such a knowledge 
of the English language as to understand simple instructions, and in cases of 
emergency be able to talk to his fellow workman, so as to secure cooperative 
action which might mean the saving of life, limb, and property. 
Figures 7 and 8 show sample pages of the Delaware, Lackawanna 
& Western Railroad Co. handbook on safe and unsafe methods of 
work explained by the Roberts system. Any desired lessons on mine 
safety and mine regulations can be taught in like manner. 
a Roberts, Peter, secretary, industrial department, the international committee, of 
Young Men's Christian Association, Personal communication. EDUCATION OF MINERS, 
23 
Two props standing and miner lighting 
squib. 
Props are knocked out by shot. 
Miner hurt by fall of rock. 
PROPS KNOCKED OUT BY A SHOT. 
see We see two props in this chamber. 
hold up The props hold up the top. 
tamped The hole has been tamped. 
lights The miner lights the squip. 
shouts The miner shouts " Fire ! Fire I" 
runs back He runs back to the crosscut. 
goes off The shot goes off. 
returns The miner returns to the face. 
blown out He finds the props are blown out. 
examine HE DOES NOT EXAMINE THE TOP. 
goes into HE GOES INTO THE FACE. 
falls THE TOP FALLS ON HIM. 
injured HE IS INJURED. 
What is the miner in the picture doing? Where does he go? What happens 
to the props? Did he examine the top? Is this a careful miner? 
Don't fail to examine the top after every shot. 
Figure 7.-Sample page of handbook, illustrating unsafe practice in firing shots. 
67137°-17 4 24 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Miner examines roof after shot. 
Miner and laborer replacing props. 
REPLACING PROPS AFTER A SHOT. 
has returned The miner has returned to the face. 
are down He finds the props are down. 
examines He examines the roof with his drill. 
finds He finds the top is bad. 
must make The miner must make the top safe. 
calls He calls his laborer. 
put back The miner and laborer put the props back in place. 
is safe The chamber is now safe. 
can load Now the laborer can load his coal. 
This is a careful miner. 
What is the miner doing in this picture? What does he do with the bad top? 
Is it safe to work under bad top? Should the laborer begin to load coal before 
he knows the top is safe? 
Always examine the top after a shot. 
Figure 8.-Sample page of handbook, illustrating safe practice. EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
25 
Figures 9 and 10 show parts of pages from the H. C. Frick Coke 
Co. " Safety-First " book. 
Searching men for matches and pipes. 
This mine gives off explosive gas. The men use safety lamps only. Open 
lights can not be used. Miners must not take matches or pipes in such mines. 
The law says they must not. It would not be safe for anybody if they did. 
The men have just come down the shaft. They are going in to work. They 
have their safety lamps and buckets. One man is "trying " their safety lamps. 
Another is feeling in their pockets. If the safety lamps are not all right, they 
will be sent back to the lamp house. If they have pipes or matches, they will 
be found. The mine inspector will get their names. He will have such persons 
arrested. 
Do not take pipes nor matches in the mine. 
If your lamp is not all right, tell the boss. 
Figuke 9.-Part of page from safety-first book, illustrating method of teaching men not 
to carry matches into the mine. 26 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Fire boss looking for explosive gas. 
Safety lamps only are used in this mine. This is the edge of a gob. The 
fire boss is up on the " fall " trying for gas. He. will mark the date on the rock 
upon the fall. He will also mark the date on the face of your place, and on 
another place, which may be the side, a post, or a shovel. The first thing you 
should do is to look for this mark. If you do not find it, go tell the boss right 
away. 
Before you begin work look for the fire boss' mark. 
Figube 10.-Part of a page from safety-first book, instructing men in dangers from gas. EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
27 
Figures 11 and 12, taken from Miners' Circular 17,® show unsafe 
practice in metal mining. 
Figure 11.-Miner working under loose back. Don't work under loose ground or 
ground that looks unsafe. 
Figure 12.--Miner hurt by fall of rock. Don't take a chance. 
" Higgins, Edwin, Accidents from falls of rock or ore : Miners' Circular 17, Bureau of 
Mines, 1914, pp. 5, 6. 28 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Figures 13 and 14 are reproduced from the Anode, a safety-first 
pamphlet issued monthly by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. 
Figures 34 and 35 (see pp. 49 and 50), also from the Anode, illus- 
trate how carelessness may cause haulage accidents. 
Figure 13.--Man using defective ladder, an unsafe practice. Any man who knows that 
a ladder is defective should repair it, otherwise other men, not knowing of the defect, 
may fall. EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
29 
There is much to be gained by circulating literature and posting 
signs and notices printed in various languages but it is preferable 
that all workmen should acquire a working knowledge of the English 
language. The proportion of miners from continental Europe who 
Figure 14.-The result, man falls from ladder. 30 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
can read and write in their own language is small. Moreover, an 
average group of non-English-speaking miners use a variety of dia- 
lects that differ from the literary languages of their own nations 
almost as much as from the literary languages of other nations. 
Translators always use the literary language, which may be unin- 
telligible to an illiterate dialect-speaking miner. When the foreign 
workman can understand the rules and practices through his knowl- 
edge of English he is not so likely to get injured. 
POSTING RULES. 
The practice of posting rules conspicuously at mines is somewhat 
general. For some years many companies have posted both general 
and specific rules to cover plant operation. Standard rules to gov- 
ern employees in their performance of duties, methods of work, and 
handling of material have long been recognized as having a positive 
value in accident prevention. Wholesale disregard of such rules 
has resulted in many accidents that could have been easily averted, 
but laws and rules will not produce results unless they are enforced. 
A strict conformity with the spirit of the law by all employers and 
employees is essential for safety. 
DISTRIBUTING RULES IN HANDBOOKS. 
When rules are posted efforts should be made to bring them to the 
attention of the workmen so that the latter may become familiar 
with them. Many companies print rules in several languages in 
pamphlet or book form and issue a book to each workman, who signs 
for it. A fewT weeks later the workman, who is expected to have read 
the rules or to have had them read to him, is required to send in over 
his signature a slip that accompanied the book, with the statement 
that he fully understands them. Then if he passes an oral examina- 
tion satisfactorily he receives a safety button similar to that worn 
by members of the safety committee. 
An attractive pocket memorandum book that would be of actual 
service to any workman would be one containing the rules of the 
company, safety precepts, simple problems regarding his work, and 
items of general interest that might cause him to refer to the book 
frequently and remind him of the sincere attitude of the company 
toward safety and the part that he must play to bring about the de- 
sired results. 
A book of rules for the employees in the iron-ore mines of one 
company contains, among others, the following injunctions: 
TEN COMMANDMENTS. 
To Prevent Accidents and Promote Sanitation. 
1. Get the safety habit. Don't take chances. Learn all the rules, under- 
stand your work thoroughly. Study the dangers incident thereto and avoid 
them. Think before you act. EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
31 
2. Do not work with defective chains, cables, tools, or appliances of any 
kind, or in an unsafe place. Carefully examine same and report dangerous 
conditions to your foreman. 
3. Never work on any machinery until you have notified the operator and 
attached a sign, " Danger, Do Not Move," bearing your name, at the point 
where the power is turned on. No man except the man who placed it should 
ever remove such sign. 
4. Do not turn on any electricity, steam, air, or water, or set in motion any 
machinery, or throw down any material, without first seeing if anyone is in 
a position to be injured and all safety guards are in their proper place. 
5. Do not handle, use, or explode any high explosive without complying with 
all the rules covering " High Explosives." 
6. Use proper timbers and adopt all precautions to prevent any possibility 
of roof or sides caving in and falling on you. 
7. Do not ride on or operate engines, cars, motors, steam shovels, skips, 
or other moving bodies, or tamper with electrical apparatus, unless authorized 
to do so. Never leave your regular place of work and go to another part of 
mine except when required by your duties. 
8. If you make an opening or remove the cover from any opening in floor, 
ground, shaft, raise, valve pit or sewer, guard that opening so no one can fall 
into it. 
9. Do not pile any material so high it is liable to fall or cause another pile 
to fall, or allow it to lean against walls too weak to bear the pressure. 
10. Commit no nuisance; be clean and help to keep the mine clean. Conduct 
your private life so that you are at all times in the very best physical condi- 
tion, wide awake, and active. 
BULLETIN BOARDS. 
The use of bulletin boards (see fig. 15) for posting various items 
of interest, such as notices, reports, photographs, articles, has proved 
of great value in safety work. Such boards are in use both in and 
around mines. The posting of items of local interest attracts the 
attention of all employees. Men make it a practice to read the 
board daily. Figure 15 shows a group of men reading the bulle- 
tins on such a board. This illustration was supplied by the Na- 
tional Safety Council. Photographs showing safe and unsafe 
methods of work are being widely used and can be placed to ad- 
vantage on the bulletin board with frequent changes and the addi- 
tion of interesting data. An important item is the posting of acci- 
dent reports in some such form as follows: 
REPORT OF ACCIDENT. 
Mine 
Date 
Name 
Occupation , 
Nationality 
How accident happened 
Result of accident 
How similar accidents can be avoided 32 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
A form of notice posted on the suggestion box at a zinc mine in 
New Jersey is given below: 
Figure 15.-Miners reading bulletin board. 
ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE TRICE OF SAFETY. 
Your help is wanted. 
If you know of a dangerous place or machine anywhere on this 
plant, we want you to report it. 
If you can suggest a means for safeguarding the point in ques- 
tion, tell us about it. You may save some one's life. 
If you have no remedy, tell us of the danger anyway, and we 
will have others search for the remedy. 
All suggestions pointing out the possibility of infection, of ill 
health, or of accident, to any of our employees, and also all sug- 
gestions to prevent such possibilities, should be placed in this box. 
If you sign your name and number to your suggestion, we know 
you are trying to help us. 
Safety Committee. 
SUGGESTION BOXES. 
Suggestion boxes are maintained at various plants for the receipt 
of suggestions and recommendations in addition to those presented 
by the safety committees. Information as to existing dangers, sug- EDUCATION OF MINERS. 
33 
gestions for their elimination or safeguarding, or anything that in 
any way will tend to make conditions safer are requested. Much 
of direct value has resulted from this method of ascertaining the 
attitude of the men toward the general subject of safety. Any device 
or suggestion, however simple, that may prevent an accident is 
worthy of consideration. 
In many instances notable discoveries of latent thought and in- 
genuity have resulted in improvements and inventions of various 
kinds, with benefit to both the individuals making them and to the 
industry. Thousands of seemingly unimportant defects which had 
escaped notice have been lessened or completely eliminated through 
suggestions received in this manner. As a concrete example of the 
value of this system, one 
of the largest industrial 
concerns received in two 
years 5,200 suggestions 
both from safety commit- 
tees and individual em- 
ployees, of which 92 per 
cent were adopted and put 
in force. Another plant 
received 1,200 suggestions 
the first year. Of these, 
90 per cent are now oper- 
ative, 6 per cent are being 
investigated, and only 4 
per cent were rejected as 
being impractical. Fig- 
ure 16 shows a suggestion 
box in use at an Illinois 
mine. 
MEETINGS AND LECTURES. 
In addition to the ini- 
tial public meetings and 
the regular monthly meetings of the various safety committees there 
should be frequent public meetings, " booster meetings " for safety, in 
which the problem of accidents, their causes and prevention, should 
be openly discussed. The programs of such meetings, many of which 
have been held during the past two years, contain many interesting 
features. Lectures are given, and the desired lessons on how accidents 
can be avoided are taught by means of stereopticon views and motion 
pictures. Other forms of entertainment are provided. Such meetings 
finally resolve into the community life and rightfully become a part 
of it. The mind is forcibly impressed, and " Safety first " becomes a 
Figure 16.-Suggestion box used at an Illinois mine. 34 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
common topic of conversation among the miners and their families. 
Wherever they meet this vital question is discussed, and the graphic 
tales of reckless driving, failure to set posts, setting off gas, drilling 
out misfires, etc., decrease in direct proportion as interest in and 
discussion of safety increases. Every serious accident is a reminder 
that something is wrong, and whether it is nonfatal or fatal is really 
of no consequence as far as accident prevention is concerned as a 
whole. Almost any serious accident might easily have proved fatal. 
In the educational work carried on among the miners by the 
Bureau of Mines through its mine rescue stations and cars training 
in first aid to the injured and in mine rescue methods is supplemented 
by illustrated lectures on mine safety. The work has been made 
more effective by the use of lantern slides and motion pictures show- 
ing actual first aid and mine rescue work, tests on explosibility of 
coal dust, and underground mining operations in both ore and coal 
in detail, with practical lessons for the miner on safe and sane 
methods. Such a series of pictures is now available, on application 
to the Bureau of Mines, for use at meetings held in the interest of 
mining. The series of lantern slides and motion pictures is being 
enlarged constantly, and, as there is a suitable meeting place in 
practically every mining community where miners may gather, it is 
to be hoped that a useful purpose will be served through this me- 
dium. Information in regard to material available for purposes of 
this nature can be obtained from the stations or cars of the Bu- 
reau of Mines or by writing to the director of the bureau, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
SAFETY PRECEPTS. 
Safety precepts are of great value in keeping the subject of safety 
before the minds of the men. Such precepts may be used in various 
forms; they may be printed on statements, pay envelopes, calendars, 
letterheads, or signs, or in memorandum books and special safety 
bulletins, or thrown on the screen during illustrated lectures. They 
represent in a way the policy of the company, forming practically a 
set of rules with supplemental admonitions. A number of precepts 
follow: 
Safety first. 
Carelessness means injury sooner or later to yourself or to others. 
Report all unsafe conditions. By so doing you will prevent accidents. 
Safeguards not only prevent accidents but lessen the extent of injuries which 
can not wholly be averted. 
It takes less time to prevent an accident than to report one. 
If you see a fellow workman going into a place of danger, warn him. 
It is better to cause a delay than an accident. 
Better be careful than crippled. EDUCATION OF MINERS, 
35 
Careless workmen are dangerous in mines. 
Every accident is a notice that something is wrong. 
Make repairs before, not after, an accident. 
Do not let loose material lie around for men to fall over. 
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 
It is the little accidents that kill most. 
Report all disregard of safety rules. 
Nothing is a substitute for alertness and watchfulness. 
A timber in place is worth a thousand on the timber pile. 
Be sure you're safe, then go ahead. 
It's better to be safe than sorry. 
Safety first, then work in safety. 
Get the safety habit. 
Don't take chances with your life. 
Don't gamble with your life; you might lose. 
Rules are made to be followed. 
Report all dangerous conditions. Be careful yourself and see that all fellow 
workmen exercise care. 
Carefulness will avoid many accidents. 
Remember that 50 per cent of the number of men killed in coal mines are 
killed by falls of roof, slate, and coal. 
Obey instructions regarding the setting of timber. 
The cooperation of foremen and workmen will greatly reduce the number of 
accidents. 
Careful men are as a rule the most efficient. 
Rules and laws are based upon experience. There are good reasons for 
obeying them. 
Be temperate in your habits. It means greater safety and more money to 
you. 
The prevention of accidents and injuries, by all possible means, is a personal 
duty which everyone owes not to himself alone but also to his fellow workmen. 
Look out for the other man; you might hurt him. 
Warning signs are a constant reminder that danger does exist. Obey the 
warning. 
In case of doubt, adopt the safe course. Speed must always give way to 
safety. 
Keep powder and caps separate. 
Employees are forbidden to go into dangerous places. 
Last year 424 men were killed by haulage accidents in coal mines. 
We shall welcome any suggestions from employees that might assist in pre- 
venting accidents. 
Each workman should consider himself a committee of one to look after his 
own personal safety. 
One man's effort to promote safety may seem small, but the united efforts of 
many will be large. 
The cooperation of all employees in our effort to prevent accidents is earnestly 
requested. 
Do not carry open lights or matches into places where locked safety lamps are 
used. 
Keep all working tools in good condition. 
Do not permit boards containing protruding nails to lie around. Some one 
may step on them. 36 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES 
Nature's laws are no respecters of persons. 
Examine the roof frequently. 
Be sure to have every injury, no matter how slight, attended to immediately. 
Blood poisoning may result if you fail to do this. 
The right way is always tlie safe way. 
Let us reduce accidents at least 50 per cent. 
Use as little powder as you can; it will save you money and give the company 
a better grade of coal. 
Better be safe and sure than crippled and poor. 
Use care and avoid injuries. 
Be sure your roof is in safe condition before commencing work. 
Be careful all the time-and you won't be sorry afterwards. 
Some one's carelessness is the cause of nearly every accident-don't be the 
one. 
Eternal vigilance insures safety. 
" Safety first " put the " dent " in accident. 
Fifty per cent of all accidents in coal mines are caused by falls of roof, slate, 
and coal. Watch your top. 
Safety always. 
COOPERATE. We 
Owe it to 
Ourselves and fellow workmen to 
Pull together and 
Endeavor to 
Reduce 
Accidents. 
This work is for 
Everybody. 
SAFETY MEASURES. 
The elimination as far as possible of conditions that cause acci- 
dents, or adequate protection therefrom, is the most interesting evi- 
dence of the safety movement. In mining accident prevention covers 
a broad field and includes the experiences of years. 
There is at present an increasing tendency to give greater consid- 
eration to the economic loss that workmen suffer by impairment of 
their earning capacity through accidents, and for this reason liability 
for personal injuries is being fixed more closely than ever upon 
employers of labor. Personal injuries will always accompany indus- 
trial activities, and, therefore, the worker should be considered as 
a part of the machinery of production, to be cared for as are other 
repairs or replacements. Such added cost will necessarily be borne 
by the consumer, inasmuch as the cost of production will be corre- 
spondingly increased. 
Employers' liability laws have failed to meet the demands of 
modern industrial conditions. Much litigation has been caused 
from the various interpretations placed upon them. Employers 
have been subjected to hardships, whereas only a small proportion SAFETY MEASURES. 
37 
of the injured workmen have derived any benefit, and this small pro- 
portion in turn has received only a fraction of the money actually 
expended in the settlement of claims. The system involves uncer- 
tainty, breeds antagonism, and always causes delay at times when 
immediate relief is most desirable. Such laws are now being super- 
seded. 
Workmen's compensation is coming rapidly into favor. The idea 
of compensation is to award a fixed sum without the necessity of liti- 
gation or the placing of responsibility for occupational injuries to 
workmen. The operation of such a system is intended automatically 
to provide immediate compensation in proportion to the wages 
earned and extent of the injury. Provision is usually made, however, 
that so-called willful or gross negligence on the part of the employer 
renders him liable for payment of damages, and on the part of the 
employee makes him forfeit his right to compensation. 
Systems of workmen's compensation are in force in practically 
every industrial country. In the United States 33 States have 
enacted workmen's compensation or insurance laws. In all of these 
States the laws cover mining as well as other industries. 
Responsibility for accidents is usually charged to hazard of the 
industry, negligence of worker, negligence of fellow worker, or negli- 
gence of employer. The best data available concerning the causes 
of industrial accidents of all kinds in Germany show that nearly 
58 per cent are due to negligence of employers and employees and 
42 per cent to the inevitable risks of employment. It should be 
noted that a large percentage of all accidents is charged to hazards 
of the industry. All accidents caused by unforeseen and unavoid- 
able dangers are properly attributable to this cause, but many acci- 
dents that have been ascribed thereto could clearly have been averted, 
and it is believed that in the future these will be less predominant. 
In view of the wonderful attainments of the safety movement in 
the past few years, during which time the hazard of certain indus- 
tries has been greatly reduced, it is believed that all risks can be 
lessened. It is not to be expected that mining will ever be free 
from accidents, for many of its difficult problems deal with dangers 
peculiar to the industry, but the progress already made gives assur- 
ance that all such hazards can be greatly reduced. This reduction 
should in turn result in an accompanying decrease in rates of acci- 
dent insurance. 38 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
The subject of mechanical safeguards is usually discussed in con- 
nection with those industries, other than mining, that employ varied 
and complicated machinery, but the production of mineral wealth 
requires extensive use of it. Sawmills, machine shops, power plants, 
and the diverse machines required for mining ventilation, drainage, 
and haulage, and the preparation of coal and ore are needed at 
modern mining operations. To overcome the attendant dangers 
such requirements as the following are involved: 
Protection by suitable safeguards of all exposed gears, pulleys, shafting, 
belting, circular saws, emery wheels, cutter bars, and trolley wires; 
Elimination of projecting set screws, bolts, or keys on revolving shafts; 
Loose pulleys for belt-driven machines and more extensive use of direct- 
connected machinery; 
Wearing of close-fitting clothing by persons working around gears and revolv- 
ing parts of machines; 
Fly wheels fenced off; 
Ample clearance space and light; 
Passageways kept free from obstructions; 
Railings in connection with stairways and overhead walks; 
Free use of signs of danger, instruction, and caution; 
Protection from dangers attending use of steam, electricity, and compressed 
air; 
Safe mechanical equipment in good repair. 
A number of safety devices in use at mines are shown in figures 17 
to 27. A portable steel safety house for protecting men at open-pit 
mines from flying rock during a blast is shown in figure 17. Figure 
18 shows a powder shield for loading holes at open-pit mines to pre- 
vent powder from spilling and to protect it from sparks from locomo- 
tives. Figures 19 and 20 were furnished by courtesy of the Depart- 
ment of Labor. They show a safety lock for boiler valves and 
types of guards for lathes and emery wheels. Figures 21 and 22 show 
types of gates in use at some shaft mines; figure 23 shows a warning 
sign on the headframe of a mine in Montana. A safety cover placed 
over the pulley on a self-dumping bucket used in Alaska gold-mining 
operations is shown in figure 24. This serves to protect workmen 
from having their fingers cut off in the pulley when being hoisted; 
the bucket swings rather freely in the shaft. A safety device for 
ladders is shown in figure 25. A number of safety devices at mines 
are shown in Technical Paper 30.® Figure 26 shows a life line for 
use by mine-rescue parties wearing mine-rescue apparatus. Figure 
27 shows standard timbering as a safety precaution in a mine where 
excellent roof conditions are present. 
MECHANICAL SAFEGUARDS. 
a Woodbridge, D. E., Mine-accident prevention at Lake Superior iron mines: Tech. 
Paper 30, 1913, 36 pp. SAFETY MEASURES. 
39 
Figure 17.-Steel safety house used at open-pit mine in Minnesota to protect workmen 
from flying rock after a blast. 
Figure 18.-Powder shield for loading holes at open-pit mines. 40 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Figure 19.-Boiler valve closed and locked. 
Figure 20.-Lathe, with covered gears. SAFETY MEASURES. 
41 
The construction and application of safeguards is a matter that 
frequently demands considerable mechanical ingenuity and skill, but 
Figure 21.-Type of gate at third level of a Michigan mine. 
Figure 22.-Self-closing bar gate, open. 
often some simple homemade device will meet the requirements. A 
safeguard should be so constructed that it forms a part of the ma- 
Figure 23.-Warning sign used on headframe of a Montana mine. 42 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
chine. It should be practicable, adjustable when necessary, give the 
desired protection without interfering with efficient operation, and be 
kept in good repair. Here- 
tofore too little attention has 
been given in designing ma- 
chinery to guarding the mov- 
able parts that may cause and 
have caused numerous acci- 
dents, but the present ten- 
dency is to require such speci- 
fications in the design and to 
favor manufacturers of well- 
guarded machines, as well as 
to standardize the safety de- 
vices on machinery common 
to any industry. Sometimes 
the construction is such that 
the machine can not be op- 
erated unless the guard is in its proper position, and for the 
larger machines, such as engines, air compressors, generators, 
boilers, and hoists, automatic- 
control devices are provided. 
SIGNS. 
The favorable attitude of the 
management toward safety can 
not be better shown than in a 
free use of signs consisting of 
various wordings and emblems 
for guidance and warning, both 
in and around mines. Warn- 
ing signs judiciously used will 
tend to prevent accidents, as 
they are a constant reminder 
that danger does exist. Espe- 
cially should all dangerous 
places be pointed out by means 
of some well-known warning 
sign. To be forewarned is to 
be forearmed. A sign, how- 
ever, should not take the place 
of a positive removal of the 
danger. 
Man is disposed to use simple signs and emblems for danger, direc- 
tion, and caution, such as a pointing arrow or hand for direction 
and red for danger. The simplest sign is usually the best, and one 
Figure 24.-Protective device on pulley of self- 
dumping bucket used at a placer mine work- 
ing frozen gravel in Alaska; shaft about 50 
feet deep. 
Figure 25.-Safety device for ladders used 
at a Michigan mine. 43 
SAFETY MEASURES. 
that is self-explanatory without lettering is of most value, especially 
to non-English-speaking miners. 
Conditions frequently arise whereby certain sections or places in a 
mine become dangerous, as through accumulations of gas or through 
bad roof, and men must be prevented from entering. The Depart- 
Figure 26.-Use of life line with mine rescue apparatus. 
ment of Mines of Pennsylvania has adopted a penalty danger sign 
to keep men out of such dangerous places. When so used, this sign 
must not be passed. Its use, therefore, is restricted to a special pur- 
pose, thus a clear distinction is made between a sign of mere warn- 
ing and one designating positive danger. 
Figure 27.-Standard timbering as a safety precaution in a mine in which roof conditions 
are excellent. 
A large electric sign in an Idaho mine is illustrated in figure 28. 
The danger sign used in a Pennsylvania coal mine to prevent motor- 
men with a trip or miners from entering an unexamined part of the 
mine, or a part that is temporarily dangerous, is shown in figure 29. 
Figure 30 shows the method employed in a coal mine in southern 44 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Figure 28.-Electric sign, " Safety first," two miles from portal of mine in Idaho. SAFETY MEASURES. 
45 
Figure 29.-Danger sign in Pennsylvania coal mine. 
Figure 30.-Method used in Illinois mine to fence off old workings without interfering 
with ventilation. 46 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Illinois to fence off old workings without interfering with the ventila- 
tion. Wire netting is used and the gate is kept locked. A safety sign 
placed over the door of the superintendent's office at a copper mine 
in Nevada is shown in figure 31. A signboard in a Lake Superior 
iron mine is shown in figure 32. 
Types of signs used at mines pointing out various dangers and signs 
recommended by the Bureau of 
Mines are illustrated in Technical 
Paper 67.° 
Systematic posting of signs 
throughout the mine wherever 
they may be of aid has been carried 
out in a number of cases. Men 
temporarily lost in extensive work- 
ings may find their way out of the 
mine by noting the direction of 
air current, switches, flow of water, 
etc., but to do so requires more or 
less familiarity with the workings. 
Systematically posted signs giving 
the location and direction, such as 
" Third level," " This way to 
shaft," "This way out," have a di- 
rect value in the saving of much 
time, especially with new men un- 
accustomed to a particular mine, 
and undoubtedly in time of dis- 
aster when men become confused, 
would aid greatly in the escape of 
survivors or assist in any subse- 
quent rescue work. 
Durable signs, such as those of 
rolled steel with fused enamel let- 
ters, can be purchased from various 
manufacturers at a nominal cost. 
The bureau will furnish on application information regarding manu- 
facturers of standard safety signs. An economical method for mak- 
ing signs that can be employed by any company is with stencils or 
patterns cut out of stiff durable cardboard. A pattern of any de- 
sirable size can be made with suitable wording and emblem. When 
the stencils are completed it is easy to furnish a quantity of signs 
with the use of a fewT feet of properly planed lumber, three colors 
of paint, and brushes, using the most widely adopted style, black 
background, white letters, white arrow, and solid red circle. 
Figure 31.-Safety sign on door of 
superintendent's office at copper mine 
in Nevada. 
a Higgins, Edwin, and Steidle, Edward, Mine signboards : Tech. Paper 67, Bureau of 
Mines, 1913, 15 pp. SAFETY MEASURES. 
47 
Another method is by blue prints of tracings. These blue prints 
can be used in making very effective illuminated signs or in display- 
ing rules and notices in suitable frames. 
In addition to safeguards against the dangers attending the use of 
machinery and other mechanical equipment, many protective devices, 
such as goggles to protect the eyes from flying chips, shields to pro- 
tect parts of the body, respirators to prevent inhalation of dust, ex- 
hausts for confining dust, are provided. The value of any safeguard 
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS. 
Figure 32.-Signboard in a Lake Superior iron mine. 
depends on its intelligent use, and for this reason education goes hand 
in hand with safeguards in the prevention of accidents. Well-defined 
standards for ventilation, timbering, explosives, shot firing, track 
work, electric work, and inspection in conjunction with safe practices 
are the important requirements. 
Safeguarding is not intended to eliminate the need of personal 
thought and alertness, as careful men are always better than safety 
devices, but is essential for the protection of workmen who carelessly 
or unavoidably expose themselves to existing dangers. Besides, it has 
a marked tendency to cause men to cultivate habits of care. 
The safeguarding of machines has to do with the safety of the 
individual employees. Mining requires safeguards that have to do 48 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
with the safety of the entire working force, such as guarding against 
mine fires and explosions. Given a sufficient number of elements and 
conditions, approximating a danger limit and favorable to an explo- 
sion or fire, there may arise at any moment a combination of circum- 
Figure 33.-Guarded emery wheel for grinding tools. Workman wearing goggles. 
stances that can furnish the additional factor necessary to initiate a 
frightful disaster. Safety measures against such conditions are 
highly desirable. Under this head are included for coal mines adequate 
ventilation, the use of improved types of locked safety lamps or per- SAFETY MEASURES. 
49 
missible electric cap lamps in gaseous mines, explosion-proof motors, 
permissible explosives, safe methods of handling and transporting 
Figure 34.-Unsafe practice-miner standing where he may be injured by car. 
explosives, restricted use of electricity in gaseous mines, immunizing 
or eliminating coal dust, use of incombustible material in construc- 50 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
tion work, adequate fire protection, and mine rescue and first-aid 
organization. These subjects have been fully treated in other publi- 
cations of the Bureau of Mines, to which reference should be made. 
Figure 35.-The result, miner gets caught by car. 
Figures 34 and 35, from the Anode, illustrate how haulage acci- 
dents may be caused by lack of care on the part of the miner. PUBLICATIONS ON MINE ACCIDENTS AND METHODS OF COAL 
MINING. 
A limited supply of the following publications of the Bureau of 
Alines has been printed and is available for free distribution until the 
edition is exhausted. Requests for all publications can not be granted, 
and to insure equitable distribution applicants are requested to limit 
their selection to publications that may be of especial interest to them. 
Requests for publications should be addressed to the Director, Bureau 
of Alines. 
The Bureau of Alines issues a list showing all its publications avail- 
able for free distribution as well as those obtainable only from the 
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, on pay- 
ment of the price of printing. Interested persons should apply to the 
Director. Bureau of Alines, for a copy of the latest list. 
PUBLICATIONS FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION. 
Bulletin 17. A primer on explosives for coal miners, by C. E. Munroe and 
Clarence Hall. 61 pp., 10 pls., 12 figs. Reprint of United States Geological 
Survey Bulletin 423. 
Bulletin 20. The explosibility of coal dust, by G. S. Rice, with chapters by 
J. C. W. Frazer, Axel Larsen, Frank Haas, and Carl Scholz. 204 pp., 14 pls., 
28 figs. 
Bulletin 45. Sand available for filling mine workings in the northern anthra- 
cite coal basin of Pennsylvania, by N. H. Darton. 1913. 33 pp., 8 pls., 5 figs. 
Bulletin 46. An investigation of explosion-proof mine motors, by H. H. 
Clark. 1912. 44 pp., 6 pls., 14 figs. 
Bulletin 50. A laboratory study of the inflammability of coal dust, by J. C. 
W. Frazer, E. J. Hoffman, and L. A. Scholl, jr. 1913. 60 pp., 95 figs. 
Bulletin 52. Ignition of mine gases by the filaments of incandescent electric 
lamps, by H. H. Clark and L. C. Ilsley. 1913. 31 pp., 6 pls., 2 figs. 
Bulletin 56. First series of coal-dust explosion tests in the experimental 
mine, by G. S. Rice, L. M. Jones, J. K. Clement, and W. L. Egy. 1913. 115 pp., 
12 pls., 28 figs. 
Bulletin 60. Hydraulic mine filling; its use in the Pennsylvania anthracite 
fields; a preliminary report, by Charles Enzian. 1913. 77 pp., 3 pls., 12 figs. 
Bulletin 62. National mine-rescue and first-aid conference, Pittsburgh. Pa., 
September 23-26, 1912, by H. M. Wilson. 1913. 74 pp. 
Bulletin 68. Electric switches for use in gaseous mines, by H. H. Clark and 
R. W. Crocker. 1913. 40 pp., 6 pls. 
51 52 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
Bulletin 99. Mine-ventilation stoppings, with especial reference to coal 
mines in Illinois, by It. Y. Williams. 1915. 30 pp., 4 pls., 4 figs. 
Bulletin 101. Abstracts of current decisions on mines and mining, October, 
1914, to April, 1915, by .1. W. Thompson. 1915. 138 pp. 
Bulletin 105. Black damp in coal mines, by G. A. Burrell, I. W. Robertson, 
and G. G. Oberfell. 1916. 88 pp. 
Bulletin 113. Abstracts of current decisions on mines and mining, May to 
September, 1915, by J. W. Thompson. 1916. 123 pp. 
Bulletin 115. Coal-mine fatalities in the United States, 1870-1914, with 
statistics of coal production, labor, and mining methods, by States and calendar 
years, compiled by Albert H. Fay. 1916. 370 pp., 3 pls., 13 figs. 
Bulletin 118. Abstracts of current decisions on mines and mining, October 
to December, 1915, by J. W. Thompson. 1916. 74 pp. 
Bulletin 119. Analyses of coals purchased by the Government during the 
fiscal years 1908-1915, by G. S. Pope. 1916. 105 pp. 
Technical Paper 4. The electrical section of the Bureau of Mines, its purpose 
and equipment, by H. H. Clark. 1911. 12 pp. 
Technical Paper 6. The rate of burning of fuse as influenced by temperature 
and pressure, by W. O. Snelling and W. C. Cope. 1912. 28 pp. 
Technical Paper 7. Investigations of fuse and miners' squibs, by Clarence 
Hall and S. P. Howell. 1912. 19 pp. 
Technical Paper 11. The use of mice and birds for detecting carbon monoxide 
after mine fires and explosions, by G. A. Burrell. 1912. 15 pp. 
Technical Paper 13. Gas analysis as an aid in fighting mine fires, by G. A. 
Burrell and F. M. Seibert. 1912. 16 pp., 1 fig. 
Technical Paper 14. Apparatus for gas-analysis laboratories at coal mines, 
by G. A. Burrell and F. M. Seibert. 1913. 24 pp„ 7 figs. 
Technical Paper 17. The effect of stemming on the efficiency of explosives, 
by W. O. Snelling and Clarence Hall. 1912. 20 pp., 11 figs. 
Technical Paper 18. Magazines and thaw houses for explosives, by Clarence 
Hall and S. P. Howell. 1912. 34 pp., 1 pl., 5 figs. 
Technical Paper 19. The factor of safety in mine electrical installations, 
by H. H. Clark. 1912. 14 pp. 
Technical Paper 21. The prevention of mine explosions, report and recom- 
mendations, by Victor Watteyne, Carl Meissner, and Arthur Desborough. 
12 pp. Reprint of United States Geological Survey Bulletin 369. 
Technical Paper 22. Electrical symbols for mine maps, by H. H. Clark. 1912. 
11 pp., 8 figs. 
Technical Paper 28. Ignition of mine gas by standard incandescent lamps, 
by H. H. Clark. 1912. 6 pp. 
Technical Paper 39. The inflammable gases in mine air, by G. A. Burrell 
and F. M. Seibert. 1913. 24 pp., 2 figs. 
Technical Paper 43. The effect of inert gases on inflammable gaseous 
mixtures, by J. K. Clement. 1913. 24 pp., 1 pl., 8 figs. 
Technical Paper 44. Safety electric switches for mines, by H. H. Clark. 
1913. 8 pp. 
Technical Paper 47. Portable electric mine lamps, by H. H. Clark. 1913. 
13 pp. 
Technical Paper 48. Coal-mine accidents in the United States, 1896-1912, 
with monthly statistics for 1912, compiled by F. W. Horton. 1913. 74 pp., 
10 figs. PUBLICATIONS ON MINE ACCIDENTS AND COAL MINING. 
53 
Technical Papeb 58. The action of acid mine water on the insulation of 
electric conductors; a preliminary report, by H. H. Clark and L. C. Ilsley. 
1913. 26 pp., 1 fig. 
Technical Paper 69. Production of explosives in the United States during 
the calendar year 1912, compiled by A. H. Fay. 1914. 8 pp. 
Technical Paper 75. Permissible electric lamps for miners, by H. H. Clark. 
1914. 21 pp., 3 figs. 
Technical Paper 76. Notes on the sampling and analysis of coal, by A. C. 
Fieldner. 1914. 59 pp., 6 figs. 
Technical Paper 78. Specific-gravity separation applied to the analysis of 
mining explosives, by C. G. Storm and A. L. Hyde. 1914. 13 pp. 
Technical Paper 82. Oxygen-mine rescue apparatus and physiological effects 
on users, by Yandell Henderson and J. W. Paul. 1916. 102 pp., 5 pls., 6 figs. 
Technical Paper 84. Methods of preventing and limiting explosions in coal 
mines, by G. S- Rice and L. M. Jones. 1915. 45 pp., 14 pls., 3 figs. 
Technical Paper 100. Permissible explosives tested prior to March 1, 1915, 
by S. P. Howell. 1915. 15 pp. 
Technical Paper 108. Shot firing in coal mines by electricity controlled from 
outside, by H. H. Clark, N. V. Breth, and C. M. Means. 1915. 36 pp. 
Technical Paper 119. The limits of inflammability of mixtures of methane 
and air, by G. A. Burrell and G. G. Oberfell. 1915. 30 pp., 4 figs. 
Technical Paper 132. Underground latrines for miners, by J. H. White. 
1916. 23 pp., 2 pls., 19 figs. 
Technical Paper 134. Explosibility of gases from mine fires, by G. A. Burrell 
and G. G. Oberfell. 1915. 31 pp., 1 fig. 
Technical Paper 138. Suggested safety rules for installing and using elec- 
trical equipment in bituminous coal mines, by H. H. Clark and C. M. Means. 
1916. 36 pp. 
Miners' Circular 5. Electrical accidents in mines, their causes and preven- 
tion, by H. H. Clark, W. D. Roberts, L. C. Ilsley, and H. F. Randolph. 1911. 
10 pp., 3 pls. 
Miners' Circular 7. Use and misuse of explosives in coal mining, by J. J. 
Rutledge, with a preface by J. A. Holmes. 1913. 52 pp., 8 figs. 
Miners' Circular 9. Accidents from falls of roof and coal, by G. S. Rice. 
1912. 16 pp. 
Miners' Circular 10. Mine fires and how to fight them, by J. W. Paul. 1912. 
14 pp. 
Miners' Circular 12. Use and care of miners' safety lamps, by J. W. Paul. 
1913. 16 pp., 4 figs. 
Miners' Circular 13. Safety in tunnelling, by D. W. Brunton and J. A. Davis. 
1913. 19 pp. 
Miners' Circular 14. Gases found in coal mines, by G. A. Burrell and F. M. 
Seibert. 1914. 23 pp. 
Miners' Circular 16. Hints on coal-mine ventilation, by J. J. Rutledge. 1914. 
22 pp. 
Miners' Circular 20. How a miner can avoid some dangerous diseases, by 
A. J. Lanza and J. H. White. 1916. 26 pp., 4 figs. 
Miners' Circular 21. What a miner can do to prevent explosions of gas and 
coal dust, by G. S. Rice. 1915. 24 pp. 54 
SAFETY WORK IN MINES. 
PUBLICATIONS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED ONLY THROUGH THE SUPERIN- 
TENDENT OF DOCUMENTS. 
The editions for free distribution of the following Bureau of Mines 
publications are exhausted, but copies may be obtained by purchase 
from the superintendent of documents, Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D. C., or can be consulted at public libraries. Prepay- 
ment of the price is required, and should be made in cash (exact 
amount) or by postal or express money order to the superintendent 
of documents. 
The superintendent of documents is an official of the Government 
Printing Office, and is not connected with the Bureau of Mines. 
Bulletin 25. Mining conditions under the city of Scranton. Pa., report and 
maps, by William Griffith and E. T. Connor, with a preface by J. A. Holmes and 
a chapter by N. H. Darton. 1912. 89 pp., 29 pls. 50 cents. 
Bulletin 26. Notes on explosive mine gases and dusts, with especial refer- 
ence to explosions in the Monogah, Darr, and Naomi coal mines, by R. T. Cham- 
berlin. 1911. 383 pp., 1 fig. 10 cents. Reprint of United States Geological 
Survey Bulletin 383. 
Bulletin 42. The sampling and examination of mine gases and natural gas, 
by G. A. Burrell and F. M. Seibert. 1913. 116 pp., 2 pls., 23 figs. 20 cents. 
Bulletin 69. Coal-mine accidents in the United States and foreign countries, 
compiled by F. W. Horton. 1913. 102 pp., 3 pls., 40 figs. 25 cents. 
Bulletin 72. Occurrence of explosive gases in coal mines, by N. H. Darton. 
1915. 248 pp., 7 pls., 33 figs. 35 cents. 
Technical Paper 24. Mine fires, a preliminary study, by G. S. Rice. 1912. 
51 pp., 1 fig. 5 cents. 
Technical Paper 27. Monthly statement of coal-mine accidents in the United 
States, January to August, 1912, and statistics for 1910 and 1911, compiled by 
F. W. Horton. 1912. 24 pp. 5 cents. 
Technical Paper 29. Training with mine-rescue breathing apparatus, by J. W. 
Paul. 1912. 16 pp. 5 cents. 
Technical Paper 77. Report of the committee on resuscitation from mine 
gases, by W. B. Cannon, G. W. Crile, Joseph Erlanger, Yandell Henderson, and 
S. J. Meltzer. 1914. 35 pp., 4 figs. 5 cents. 
Miners' Circular 3. Coal-dust explosions, by G. S. Rice. 1911. 22 pp. 5 
cents. 
Miners' Circular 7. Use and misuse of explosives in coal mining, by J. J. 
Rutledge, with a preface by J. A. Holmes. 1913. 52 pp., 8 figs. 5 cents. 
Miners' Circular 11. Accidents from mine cars and locomotives, by L. M. 
Jones. 1912. 16 pp. 5 cents. 
Miners' Circular 14. Gases found in coal mines, by G. A. Burrell and F. M. 
Seibert. 1913. 23 pp. 5 cents. 
Miners' Circular 15. Rules for mine-rescue and first-aid field contests, by 
J. W. Paul. 1913. 12 pp. 5 cents. INDEX. 
A. 
Page. 
Accidents, prevention of, rules for- 30, 31 
responsibility for 37 
See also Fatalities; Injuries. 
Australasia, metal mines, fatality 
rate at 8 
Austria, coal mines, fatality rate 
at 11 
metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
B. 
Belgium, coal mines, fatality rate at 11 
Boiler valve, safety lock for, figure 
showing 40 
Bonus system, details of 20, 21 
Bucket, self-dumping, safety device 
for, figure showing 42 
Bulletin board, figure showing 32 
use of 31 
Bureau of Mines, educational work 
of 4,34 
C. 
Carpenters, death rate of, from ac- 
cidents, figure showing 9 
Clerks, death rate of, from acci- 
dents, figure showing 9 
Close, C. L., acknowledgments to 5 
Coal miners, death rate of. from ac- 
cidents, figure showing 9 
Coal mines, danger signs in, figures 
showing 45 
fatality rate at, figures show- 
ing 7-9 
foreign-born workers in, propor- 
tion of 22 
men employed at 9-11 
production of, by countries 11 
Committees. See Safety committees. 
Copper mines, fatalities,at, by causes 12-15 
fatality rate at 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
men employed at 9 
E. 
Education of miners, methods for 21-36 
need of . 5, 21, 22 
value of 21 
Employers' liability laws, objections 
to 36,37 
English, instruction in, need of- 22, 29, 30 
system for 22 
Explosions in mines, fatalities from, 
figure showing 8 
safety measures against 48,49 
F. 
Page. 
Fall of rock or ore, dangers from, 
figures showing 27 
fatalities from 12 
fatality rate from, figures show- 
ing 8,9 
Farmers, death rate of, from acci- 
dents, figure showing 9 
Fatalities, accidental, by occupation, 
figure showing 9 
at coal mines, by causes 11 
figure showing 8 
by countries 11 
number of 10 
at metal mines, by causes 12-15 
figure showing 9 
at miscellaneous mineral mines, 
by causes 12-15 
Fatality rates, at coal mines, by 
causes 11 
figure showing 8 
by countries 11 
at metal mines, figure showing- 9 
Fire boss, examination for gas by, 
figure showing 26 
Fire protection, adequate, need of 50 
Foremen, careful, need of 20 
on safety committee, need of 17 
responsibility of 16 
France, coal mines, fatality rate at_ 11 
metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
G. 
Gases, explosive, dangers from, in- 
struction in, figures 
showing 25, 26 
See also Explosions. 
Gates, mine safety devices for, fig- 
ures showing 41 
Germany, coal mines, fatality rate 
at 11 
metal mines, fatality rate at__ 8 
Gold and miscellaneous metal mines, 
fatalities at, by causes 12-15 
fatality rate at 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
men employed at 9 
Great Britain, coal mines, fatality 
rate at 11 
metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
Greece, metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
H. 
Handbook for miners, rules in 30, 31 
sample pages from, figures 
showing 23-26 
55 56 
INDEX. 
Page. 
Haulage accidents, cause of, figures 
showing 49, 50 
fatalities from 12,15 
fatality rate from, figure show- 
ing 9 
I. 
India, coal mines, fatality rate at_ 11 
Injuries at coal mines, by causes 11 
at metal mines, by causes 12-15 
economic loss from 36 
Injury rates, at coal mines, by causes 11 
Inspection of working places, need 
of 5, 18 
Iron and steel workers, death rate 
of, from accidents, figure 
showing 9 
Iron mines, fatalities at, by causes. 12-15 
fatality rate at 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
Italy, metal mines, fatality rate at. 8 
J. 
Japan, coal mines, fatality rate at. 11 
metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
Jenkins, C. V., acknowledgments to. 5 
K. 
Kelly, William, acknowledgments to. 5 
L. 
Ladder, defective, use of, results of, 
figures showing 29 
safety device for, figure show- 
ing 42 
Lathe, protective device for 40 
Lead and zinc mines, fatalities at, 
by causes 12-15 
fatality rate at 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
Lectures on mine safety, material 
available for 34 
M. 
Machinery, fatalities from 8, 12,14,15 
safety devices for 38 
figures showing 40, 42 
Machinists, death rate of, by acci- 
dents, figure showing 9 
Masons, death rate of, by accidents, 
figure showing 9 
Meetings on mine safety, programs 
for 33 
value of 33, 34 
Metal miners, death rate of, by acci- 
dent, figure showing 9 
Metal mines, fatalities at, by causes 
9, 12-15 
fatality rates at 8 
men employed at 8 
See also kinds of metal mines 
named. 
Page. 
Mexico, metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
Mine fires, fatalities from 13 
fatality rates for, figure show- 
ing 8 
safety measures against 48, 49 
Mine rescue apparatus, use of life 
line with, figure showing 43 
Mineral mines, miscellaneous, fatali- 
ties at, hy causes 12-15 
fatality rate at 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
men employed at 9 
Miners, cooperation among 20 
education of, methods for 21-36 
need of 5, 21, 22 
See also Coal miners; metal 
miners. 
Mining industry, risks in, lessening 
of 37 
safety in, requirements for 47, 48 
Motors, explosion-proof, need of 49 
N. 
New South Wales, coal mines, fatal- 
ity rate at 11 
O. 
Open-pit mines, fatality rate at, fig- 
ure showing . 9 
powder shield used at, figure 
showing 39 
safety house at, figure showing. 39 
Organization of safety work, need of 5 
plan for 16-20 
P. 
Painters, death rate of, from acci- 
dents, figure showing 9 
Pennsylvania Department of Mines, 
danger sign adopted by_ 43 
Permissible explosives, use of, need 
for 49 
Peru, metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
Portugal, metal mines in, fatality 
rate at 8 
Powder shield, for open-pit mines, 
figure showing 39 
Protective devices. See Safety de- 
vices. 
Q. 
Quarries, fatality rate at 9 
men employed at 9 
R. 
Reese, J. P., acknowledgments to. 5 
Roberts, Peter, on need of instruc- 
tion system for miners. 22 
Roberts system of instruction, fig- 
ures showing 23, 24 INDEX. 
57 
Page. 
Rules in handbooks, distribution of, 
value of 30 
posting of, need of 30 
standard, value of 30 
Russia, metal mines, fatality rate at 8 
S. 
Safety committees, duties of 17-19 
need of 5 
personnel of 17, 18 
Safety devices, construction of, fac- 
tors in 41, 42 
figures showing 39-43 
need of 37, 38 
use of 38 
value of, factors governing 47 
" Safety first," definition of 6 
movement for, purpose of 6 
Safety house, steel, figure showing. 39 
Safety inspector, duties of 16, 17 
Safety lamps, examination of, figure 
showing 25 
in gaseous mines, improved 
types of, need of 48 
Safety precepts, list of 34-36 
use of 34 
value of 34 
Safety work, advantages of 3, 4 
factors in 3 
organization of, factors govern- 
ing 4 
need of 5 
plan for 16-20 
progress of ; 3 
results of 19, 20 
Sanitation in mines, rules for 30, 31 
Shot firing, safe practice in, figure 
showing 24 
unsafe practice in, figures show- 
ing 23 
Signs, danger, figures showing 41, 45 
electric, figure showing 44 
use of 43 
guide, figure showing 47 
value of 46 
making of 46 
need of 42, 43, 46 
safety, figure showing 41, 46 
standard, purchase of 46 
types of 42, 43 
value of 42 
Spain, metal mines, fatality rate at. 8 
Steel workers. See Iron and steel 
workers. 
Page. 
Suggestion box, figure showing 33 
notice posted on 32 
use of 32, 33 
value of 33 
Superintendent, responsibility of 16 
Superintendent's office, safety sign 
on, figure showing 46 
Sweden, metal mines, fatality rate 
at 8 
T. 
Textile workers, death rate of, from 
accidents, figure showing 9 
Timbering, standard, figure showing 43 
Transvaal, metal mines, fatality 
rate at 8 
U. 
United States, coal mines, fatalities 
at 10, 11 
curves showing 7, 8 
fatality rate at 9 
high, cause of 22 
injuries at 11 
men employed at 9-11 
production in 10, 11 
metal mines, fatalities at, by 
causes 12-15 
figure showing 9 
fatality rate at 8, 9 
injuries at, by causes 12-15 
men employed at 8, 9 
workmen's compensation laws 
in 37 
V. 
Ventilation, adequate, need of 48 
W. 
Weitzel, E. IT., acknowledgments to_ 5 
Workmen, new, need of instructing. 21, 22 
Workmen's compensation laws, ad- 
vantages of 37 
extent of 37 
Y. 
Young, R. J., cited 5 
Z. 
Zinc mines. See Lead and zinc 
mines.