Mexborough and Swinton Times May 13, 1905
Breach of Colliery Rules at Cadeby
A Denaby miner named John Bennett was summoned at the instance of the Denaby and Cadeby Colliery’s Ltd, with having committed a breach of colliery special rule 101.
Defendant appeared, and pleaded not guilty, while Mr W.M. Gichard, Rotherham, prosecuted, and he stated that the offence was a breach of the timbering rule, by not having set timber props, every 3 feet.
Sometime ago the Home Secretary deem it necessary that further directions, other than those containing the regulation book of bylaws, should be given to the workmen know that they should have no excuse for not knowing what to do under certain circumstances.
Mr Gichard here produced a large poster, upon which was printed the rule which provided where timber or other material was used, the owner, agent, or manager, should keep the rule referring to the timber been set with 3 feet intervals, and it should be posted up.
Upon the date in question, about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the deputy upon going is round went into the defendant’s working place, and there found a quantity of call at come down and the filler was engaged in filling the corves. At that time there was room for one prop to be set, and they suck on to the rule he had caught it should have been set. The deputy told the filler that an additional prop required to be set, and as usual under the circumstances, he marked the place with chalk.
At 6.30, or two hours and a half afterwards, the under manager upon going his rounds went into the defendant’s working place, found that a distance of roof, 9 foot long by 9 foot D or 81 ft.² altogether, was not timbered, and at least five props ought to be set in order to comply with the rule.
When spoken to about it the defendant said he did not notice the chalk mark.
In conclusion Mr Gichard said that this was one of those cases where a man knew the rules perfectly well, and ought to carry them out, but had neglected to do so.
The defendant: There was no danger
Mr Gichard: You can’t say that. Continuing, he said that only the other week it was his unfortunate duty to attend an inquest upon a man who had been killed by a fall of roof, weighing 10 tons. He thought there was no danger. This was one of those rules which the defendant must be taught must be strictly enforced.
Joseph Robinson, a deputy, in the Cadeby Main pit, bore out Mr Gichard’s statement in evidence. The defendant’s working place was in the West district, and his stall was number 33.
The under manager give similar evidence, and the defendant was fined 20 shillings including the costs.