Endangering Lives at Denaby Main

Ben Turner, 45, Cliff View, Denaby and William Colton, also of Denaby, both fillers, employed at the colliery there, were summoned for a breach of special rule for, by doing and acting the mine likely to endanger the safety of persons working in it.

Defendants pleaded guilty.

Mr Hickman marked appeared for the prosecution, and said the defendants were fllers, and it was the duty of the filler, when there was a small fall of dirt, to remove it, for which he got paid by the company; but in the case of a large fall of the in a gateway the working place was stopped for the day, and the dirt was removed in the right by the datallers.

On 31 August there was a small fall of dirt, and the defendants wanted some extra money before they would move it. A communication was made to a deputy, and he went to the place. He approached the spot very quietly. And he could hear the men trying to pull a prop down, the idea being by pulling the prop down to let the roof fall, thus enabling the men to come out of the pit altogether for that day. The deputy did not see Turner doing anything to the prop, but when spoken to about the matter Colton said Turner had pulled the lid off the prop, which the latter admitted have been done. The deputy warned them not to touch the prop, but after he had gone they took it down, with the result that about 12 tubs full of “bind” fell. If it had been necessary for the prop to be removed it was no business of the defendants to interfere with it; there were men specially appointed for that kind of work.

Robert Gibson, deputy, said the offence was committed in number 3’s and 40’s Crossgates. About 3:45 pm he saw Colton trying to get the prop out. The Crossgate was used by two drivers, two colliers, and two fillers, and the action of the defendants was a very dangerous one.

Mr Witty, certificated manager of the colliery, also gave evidence. He said the defendants had each made signed statements, relating the share they took in the matter, which statements were produced and read to the court. The quantity of roof that fell would be about seven tons.

Defendants were each fined 10s and costs.