South Yorkshire Times, December 11th 1943
Conisbrough Man’s Death
Trapped by Heavy Stone in Quarry
Recording a verdict of “Accidental Death” on Monday, on a Conisbrough quarry worker, who received fatal injuries while working in the quarry of Conisbrough Cliff Co. Ltd., on Nov 26th, the Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile) said it seemed that working the quarry face from the top was a better system than working it from the bottom, and he had an undertaking from the manager that where this was possible it would be done, though in some places it was impossible.
The inquest was on Albert Victor Howson (46), quarry shot firer, of 6. Castle Grove Terrace, Conisbrough, who was struck by a stone falling from the quarry face, and died in the Fullerton Hospital on Dec 2nd.
Lawrence McNaney, quarry worker, 20, West Street, Conisbrough, said that he was working by the side of Howson. There had been shot firing that morning at 10-15, two to three feet from where they were working. Howson was drilling the face, when he heard a shout and turned to see Howson put his hand to his head and fall to the ground. Witness saw his right foot was trapped by a stone, which was two to three feet deep and three feet long. With a man named Sykes he tried to prise the stone off Howson’s foot, but they had to wait for more assistance. Witness estimated the stone to weigh between three and five hundredweights. Three more men came, and they got Howson out. From what he could see there was nothing to indicate that the face was not safe.
In reply to the Coroner, witness said they used a bar for testing the face. but he had not used one that day.
In witness’s opinion the fall was caused by the severe frost the night before which had loosened the dirt behind the stone. James Henry Wake, shot firer, of 9. Dufton’s Road, Burcroft, Conisbrough, said he examined the face before the men started work. There were two holes in the face, about 15 feet high but on examining them he found nothing loose. He also examined the top of the face, and told the men it was safe to start work, He drilled 40 to 50 holes, and in his examination after firing, he used a bar. He found the face still safe to work on. He did not examine the place from where the stone had fallen. Witness said he thought the thaw after the frost had loosened the stone.
The Coroner: Do you think you could do any more in the future than in the past to make it safer for the men working there? Witness Yes: drill from the top.
The Coroner stated that at the last inquest on a man killed at the quarry this had been mentioned. Replying to Mr G. Miller (Mines Inspector), witness said the face had been worked from the bottom for 18 months and they only stopped drilling from the top a fortnight ago because the drill required a new engine. Since the accident, the face had been worked the usual way, from the top as well as the bottom. Witness thought that was a safe way to work but it took longer.
Coroner’s Comment
William Thompson, foreman, of 46, Highfield Road, Conisbrough, said he had tested the face that of morning and in his opinion it was safe. He did not examine it after the shot firing had taken place. After witness had stated that the manager had given him instructions to work from the top of the face, the Coroner commented. “On the last occasion, on March 20th, I was told the quarry would be worked from the top.”
Mr. G. S. Ward (for the Company) said that promise was given only where there was overhanging stone. This was a different case.
The Coroner: It is safer in the opinion f competent workmen to work it from the top.
The Coroner: If I come here again in six months’ time and find some-one has been killed by working from the bottom you can imagine I shall have something to say about
Mr. Miller asked witness if they intended working from the bottom until the drilling machine came back or letting the work stand over, and witness replied that they were to work from the top, and had already started.
Lawrence Bashforth, works manager, said more than a week had elapsed between his periodical examinations. Before the accident he had to leave work ill and was not in the quarry on the day of the accident.
He agreed with the Coroner that, in principle, drilling from the top was better, but said the accident could still have occurred.
The Coroner: But the chances of an accident while working from the top are less? Witness: I believe so.
Dr. J. McArthur said Howson had a fracture of the spine and a compound fracture of the right femur. He died last Thursday through multiple injuries.
Mr. F. H. Capes represented Mr Howson’s relatives.