Growing Use of Hard Hats

Most pit workers have come to regard protective clothing, which Major Humphrys, Inspector of Mines for the Yorkshire Division, mentions in his annual report, as part of their necessary equipment

Major Humphrys said the number of hard bats used was still insufficient, but a “Daily Independent” reporter, making inquiries in the Doncaster coalfield, found them increasing in remarkable fashion.

One prominent official at colliery employing 2.300 men which was a pioneer in the movement, said; “Only yesterday I had a case which proved up to the hilt the value of protective clothing. We provide hats, boots, gloves, shin guards and goggles, the bats and gloves at one third of their cost price.

“The miner is often Conservative in things other than politics,” he said “and the lesser use of hats at this pit any be due to the fact that they regard old methods preferrable to new.”

This was in spite of the fact that hard hats had considerably reduced the injury rate. Last week a man was struck by very heavy fall of stone from height of 11 feet, but sustained only slight abrasion caused through the breaking of the hat.

Mr John said that at Manvers there had also been steady progress In the use of safety boots, goggles and shin guards. The guards were provided free and had been widely distributed. They were urging the greater use of goggles, owing to the large number of minor accidents.

“Yesterday a boy on the haulage had his hand caught by the rage and dragged into the pulley. But for the fact that was wearing a glove It would have taken his hand right eft. Ai a matter of fact, only the tips of his fingers were injured.

“We have also had many cases where man wearing a hat has escaped with nothing more than a nasty headache when his life might have been in serious danger.

“Since we started supplying this protective clothing we have 3400 pairs of 2s. 6d. gloves for 10d. We have also supplied nearly 1,000 hats. And 36 pairs of knee pads, 60 shin guards, 39 pairs of goggles, 1,764 of one type of boot, 361 another and 196 of another.”

There was a certain diffidence on the part of some to wearing the hats to and from the pit, but now they leave them !n their lockers after work. “They are shy people miners,” added one official.

Progress at Mexboro’

Generally speaking, miners round Mexborough have increasingly used hard hats, although experience at the several pits has been varied. At the Denaby and Cadeby collieries there has been very little progress in the more general use of the hats, although notices have been ported and other re minders issued by the management.

Tha Y.M.A. branch at Hickleton Main took the initiativo In this matter a year or two ago, and there has been considerable increase In the use hard hats, although net yet sufficient to satisfy the official.

.There is a strange difference of outlook the group of pits owned by the Manvers Main Company. In the No. I colliery. 5 and S (Barnborough) and the Melton Field, there is practically 100 per cent, adherence to hard hats among underground workers, but at No