Post by stoney on Jan 29, 2013 14:57:09 GMT -5
My first Training days.
Started work at 15 at an engineering firm in Wakefield this lasted about 2 years then in 1962.at age 17 went to work at local colliery, Monkton 3 & 4. as trainee fitter.
Told to report with cards and documents on Monday at 08 00hrs Ferrymoor pit training office at Grimethorpe colliery.
Monday 08 00 reported with eleven others at training office at Ferrymoor pit. Filled in a couple of forms,
First class, talk and film about geology, where coal comes from and how its made. Then, Breakfast after that a Class on mining history and how its done today. The pillar and stall and the longwall coal face. The different types of coal.
Dinner in canteen this is good value and quality with a fair choice.
Then Class on what to do and what not to do. its called induction and health and safety today.
Trip to stores issued with clogs, safety helmet, overalls, locker keys. We are then Shown round the locker room and showers. Clean side locker for your going home clothes. This is where you remove your clean clothes, grab your towel then through showers to dirty side lockers, change into dirty clothes and now were ready for work.
Now a trip to see the Winder, Inside the engine house with tiles on wall carpets on floor handrails polished everything in pristine condition and polished and painted, the winding engine, sitting there without any dirt or stain on it in better condition than when it left the makers. The only thing out of place is two chalk marks on the surge wheel they are there to mark when the cage is at the top and when the cage is at the coal seam about half way down. The engine has a large dial indicator on the wall but these chalk marks are redone every morning first thing micro marks. Visitors are not made welcome and there are slippers at the side of door so the floor doesn’t get marked with boots.
Now for a look round the operations and procedures around the pit top, where the tubs of coal are pushed off the cage run round to a weighing machine, on each tub is a token with a No. stamped on, this No. corresponds to the collier who has filled the tub and he will be paid on the No. of tubs filled. The token is removed and a tally taken of the weight of coal. The tub weight is entered in two ledgers one for the manager and one for the union. the tub then goes onto the next station, a tippler where the tub is rotated over and the coal empties onto a belt that transfers the coal to the washers. Then back round to the shaft and down to start over again.
Visit to lamp room this is where the lamp batteries are charged, the oil lamps are refilled, the electric gas detection units are charged and this is where the gas tests are taken. Gas tests with an oil lamp to enable you to detect any gas in the atmosphere anyone passing this test will be authorized to carry an oil lamp and be able to test for gas. 16 00hrs finishing time. Through the baths back to class .Same time tomorrow boys.
Tuesday. 08 00. reported to class quick talk on how to ride the cage (lift) knees bent slightly, hold on to handrail above your shoulder, breath through your mouth. Contraband not allowed to be taken into the pit, cigarettes, matches, lighters, anything that is capable of starting a fire or a spark. Film about underground transport. Then we are issued with two checks (tokens) (1 brass disk about 30mm dia with a No. stamped on it and a square aluminium disc about 25mm square with the same No stamped on it).
This is explained to us as follows. On arriving at the pit top to go down the pit you are met with a Banksman this is the man in charge of the shaft and cage. It is his responsibility to check that you are not taking any contraband down the pit. He will tell you when and how many may get on the chair. He will fasten the gates on the chair and signal the winder when to lower the cage to the pit bottom. When you arrive at the pit bottom there is a man (Onsetter) whose responsibility it is to assist you off the chair or on if going out.
Time now for our first trip down the pit, we all walk to the pit top a bit apprehensive after all the stories we have had to listen to. Walking passed the empty tubs lined up ready to go down the pit we watch as they put two tubs on the chair and the chair descends two full ones appear on the other side of shaft these are pushed off with the empties going on and away it goes again. We watch a couple of these going on then the Banksman turns to us and says ok my lucky boys your turn. The brass check is given to the Banksman he gives a quick search of our pockets for any contraband and onto the chair you step, remember hold on, knees bent slightly, breath through your mouth. Everybody is on the banksman drops the bar across the cage, gives three rings on the bell and the cage lifts up a couple of inches. He then pulls a lever and gives one ring of the bell and we are lowered down to the pit bottom. What an anticlimax, its slower than John Lewises and only 100 ft deep. We could have jumped down.
We are to lash (fasten) the empties to the steel rope in groups of 8 tubs with a chain on the front tub and a chain on the back tub. We have to remove the full tubs off the rope by disconnecting the front chain then letting the back chain push the tubs to the top of the drift (hill) then at the right time remove back chain. (Too early and the tubs would run back too late and the tubs would be tipped up and dragged into the engine room wall.) then run round to the shaft and onto the cage and out of pit.
First day lashing empties, took a bit to get the timing right hook round rope four turns then throw chain into hook, tightens and tubs away as long as hook is in front no problem back chain is opposite to act as brake. End of first day into showers and home.
Wednesday.08 00. today we change jobs we are now shown how to stop the tubs of coal with a locker (a piece of steel about 20mm round about 300mm long rounded to a dull point one end, other end is bent round to fit round your hand.) the way to stop the tub of coal is by throwing this locker through the wheel thereby stopping the wheel rotating and slowing down in the back wheel it slows slowly, in the front wheel stops quickly. If you miss it can be a bit of a mess. So off we go trying to get the timing right and stopping the tubs empties first, then onto the full ones. Day finished with one black thumb nail where I put my thumb the wrong side of the locker and pushed it too far into the wheel. Now we are getting used to the wearing of our safety hat and the light fastened onto it. Spent a lot of time with hat and lamp tangled between legs and cable catching on tubs and props, the way to fasten the cable to hat and down to battery is important. so its out of the way and not a danger to oneself.
Spent the next six weeks, being taught how to set wooden props to support the roof, the way to build dry stone walls and fill with muck to support the roof at the side of gates. The way to remove roof supports with the sylvester and chain. and how to use a pick and what shovel to use for coal the best shovel for stone, how to test for gas. Basic first Aid and fire fighting. The way to ventilate the workings. All basic tasks, so that on arrival at the colliery of your choice you can fit in and not get under foot.
bit long in the tooth but there it is
Dave
Started work at 15 at an engineering firm in Wakefield this lasted about 2 years then in 1962.at age 17 went to work at local colliery, Monkton 3 & 4. as trainee fitter.
Told to report with cards and documents on Monday at 08 00hrs Ferrymoor pit training office at Grimethorpe colliery.
Monday 08 00 reported with eleven others at training office at Ferrymoor pit. Filled in a couple of forms,
First class, talk and film about geology, where coal comes from and how its made. Then, Breakfast after that a Class on mining history and how its done today. The pillar and stall and the longwall coal face. The different types of coal.
Dinner in canteen this is good value and quality with a fair choice.
Then Class on what to do and what not to do. its called induction and health and safety today.
Trip to stores issued with clogs, safety helmet, overalls, locker keys. We are then Shown round the locker room and showers. Clean side locker for your going home clothes. This is where you remove your clean clothes, grab your towel then through showers to dirty side lockers, change into dirty clothes and now were ready for work.
Now a trip to see the Winder, Inside the engine house with tiles on wall carpets on floor handrails polished everything in pristine condition and polished and painted, the winding engine, sitting there without any dirt or stain on it in better condition than when it left the makers. The only thing out of place is two chalk marks on the surge wheel they are there to mark when the cage is at the top and when the cage is at the coal seam about half way down. The engine has a large dial indicator on the wall but these chalk marks are redone every morning first thing micro marks. Visitors are not made welcome and there are slippers at the side of door so the floor doesn’t get marked with boots.
Now for a look round the operations and procedures around the pit top, where the tubs of coal are pushed off the cage run round to a weighing machine, on each tub is a token with a No. stamped on, this No. corresponds to the collier who has filled the tub and he will be paid on the No. of tubs filled. The token is removed and a tally taken of the weight of coal. The tub weight is entered in two ledgers one for the manager and one for the union. the tub then goes onto the next station, a tippler where the tub is rotated over and the coal empties onto a belt that transfers the coal to the washers. Then back round to the shaft and down to start over again.
Visit to lamp room this is where the lamp batteries are charged, the oil lamps are refilled, the electric gas detection units are charged and this is where the gas tests are taken. Gas tests with an oil lamp to enable you to detect any gas in the atmosphere anyone passing this test will be authorized to carry an oil lamp and be able to test for gas. 16 00hrs finishing time. Through the baths back to class .Same time tomorrow boys.
Tuesday. 08 00. reported to class quick talk on how to ride the cage (lift) knees bent slightly, hold on to handrail above your shoulder, breath through your mouth. Contraband not allowed to be taken into the pit, cigarettes, matches, lighters, anything that is capable of starting a fire or a spark. Film about underground transport. Then we are issued with two checks (tokens) (1 brass disk about 30mm dia with a No. stamped on it and a square aluminium disc about 25mm square with the same No stamped on it).
This is explained to us as follows. On arriving at the pit top to go down the pit you are met with a Banksman this is the man in charge of the shaft and cage. It is his responsibility to check that you are not taking any contraband down the pit. He will tell you when and how many may get on the chair. He will fasten the gates on the chair and signal the winder when to lower the cage to the pit bottom. When you arrive at the pit bottom there is a man (Onsetter) whose responsibility it is to assist you off the chair or on if going out.
Time now for our first trip down the pit, we all walk to the pit top a bit apprehensive after all the stories we have had to listen to. Walking passed the empty tubs lined up ready to go down the pit we watch as they put two tubs on the chair and the chair descends two full ones appear on the other side of shaft these are pushed off with the empties going on and away it goes again. We watch a couple of these going on then the Banksman turns to us and says ok my lucky boys your turn. The brass check is given to the Banksman he gives a quick search of our pockets for any contraband and onto the chair you step, remember hold on, knees bent slightly, breath through your mouth. Everybody is on the banksman drops the bar across the cage, gives three rings on the bell and the cage lifts up a couple of inches. He then pulls a lever and gives one ring of the bell and we are lowered down to the pit bottom. What an anticlimax, its slower than John Lewises and only 100 ft deep. We could have jumped down.
We are to lash (fasten) the empties to the steel rope in groups of 8 tubs with a chain on the front tub and a chain on the back tub. We have to remove the full tubs off the rope by disconnecting the front chain then letting the back chain push the tubs to the top of the drift (hill) then at the right time remove back chain. (Too early and the tubs would run back too late and the tubs would be tipped up and dragged into the engine room wall.) then run round to the shaft and onto the cage and out of pit.
First day lashing empties, took a bit to get the timing right hook round rope four turns then throw chain into hook, tightens and tubs away as long as hook is in front no problem back chain is opposite to act as brake. End of first day into showers and home.
Wednesday.08 00. today we change jobs we are now shown how to stop the tubs of coal with a locker (a piece of steel about 20mm round about 300mm long rounded to a dull point one end, other end is bent round to fit round your hand.) the way to stop the tub of coal is by throwing this locker through the wheel thereby stopping the wheel rotating and slowing down in the back wheel it slows slowly, in the front wheel stops quickly. If you miss it can be a bit of a mess. So off we go trying to get the timing right and stopping the tubs empties first, then onto the full ones. Day finished with one black thumb nail where I put my thumb the wrong side of the locker and pushed it too far into the wheel. Now we are getting used to the wearing of our safety hat and the light fastened onto it. Spent a lot of time with hat and lamp tangled between legs and cable catching on tubs and props, the way to fasten the cable to hat and down to battery is important. so its out of the way and not a danger to oneself.
Spent the next six weeks, being taught how to set wooden props to support the roof, the way to build dry stone walls and fill with muck to support the roof at the side of gates. The way to remove roof supports with the sylvester and chain. and how to use a pick and what shovel to use for coal the best shovel for stone, how to test for gas. Basic first Aid and fire fighting. The way to ventilate the workings. All basic tasks, so that on arrival at the colliery of your choice you can fit in and not get under foot.
bit long in the tooth but there it is
Dave