Why a Workman's Lamp?

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

I'm a bit confused (doesn't take much) but:

Lamps like the the Protector Type 6 are 'Officials Lamps and are therefore re-lighting. These I understand are used for gas testing etc and that only those given authority are allowed to use these lamps (and test for gas, presumably) such as Deputies, Ventilation teams etc.

So, in the age of the electric light, why was there a need for a 'workman's light' such as the Protector SL?

Presumably 'workmen' didn't (weren't authorised) to gas test etc so why did they need to carry a Flame Safety Lamp after the introduction of electric lights for illumination?

There seems to be lots of Workman's lamps around with dates up to 1960s (probably later?)

Probably my lack of knowledge...

[shropshirebloke]

Originally they would have been used for lighting, prior to the widespread introduction of electric hand and later cap lamps.

Until fairly recently, certainly in the 1970s (it may still apply) every sixth man on a face, or in a heading, would have carried a non-relighter flame lamp for routine gas testing - it would have been impossible for a deputy or other official to be present wherever cutting or drilling was taking place. They were also issued to haulage engine drivers and others working in spaces such as engine houses where poor ventilation could be a problem.

As well as being non-relighters, workmen's lamps usually had a black enamelled bonnet, rather than the chrome or nickel finish on officials' relighters. As with anything to do with lamps I'm sure there were many exceptions to this, especially given lampmen's tendency to recycle components from damaged lamps.

All workmen issued with flame lamps had to be authorised by the manager, or someone acting on his behalf, and be able to show a degree of competence in gas testing.

[John]

Correct, for every six men their had to be someone who could test for gas in the absence of an official. A gas testing certificate would be issued to a person who took the test, usually at the NCB's training centre.
They would have undergone probably about a weeks training on the use of an oil lamp, including recognising gas caps of various percentages of methane air mixtures.

On completion, the certificate would be handed to the colliery training officer who would present it to the Manager, who would authorize the person in writing to examine his oil lamp, carry it underground and carry out gas tests with it.
He would be paid for carrying it too.
All conveyor attendants, haulage drivers would have an oil lamp as they are alone most of the shift. Face charge hands, ripping chargehands and stable hole charge hands would carry an oil lamp, plus the face "switchman" would have one too.
That complied with the law.

Only authorized people carried a relightable oil lamp, ALL officials had to carry one as part of their job.
The only other persons authorized to carry a relightable lamp were surveyors, lines lads NO. Although they did hang them to set lines, they weren't authorized to carry the relighting device!!

Eric will add to this, he is more conversant with that section of the Act being an ex U/M.

[onotoman]

Thanks guys that explains a lot.

When I did my training at Vane Tempest Colliery, I was put with a team of guys responsible for checking remote roadways for gas, air flow, unsafe supports etc, this was their sole job in the pit.

We'd go down into the pit, they'd do all of the checking and testing etc, then come out and write up reports etc.

This is the time when I got to play with a Protector Type 6 for long periods.

Was this teams function known as 'Surveying' or something else?

[John]

Jul 10, 2011 10:41:18 GMT -5 onotoman said:

Thanks guys that explains a lot.

When I did my training at Vane Tempest Colliery, I was put with a team of guys responsible for checking remote roadways for gas, air flow, unsafe supports etc, this was their sole job in the pit.

We'd go down into the pit, they'd do all of the checking and testing etc, then come out and write up reports etc.

This is the time when I got to play with a Protector Type 6 for long periods.

Was this teams function known as 'Surveying' or something else?

No, surveying was done by certificated surveyors, there job was to map the colliery workings and keep those maps up to date as required by the M&Q Act.

There could well have been others authorized to carry a relightable flame safety lamp, I wasn't aware of them, like I say, when Eric logs in, he'll be better versed in the Act and who could be authorized to carry and use relightable lamps. He was second fiddle to the Manager, in other words an Under Manager.

My guess is, the Manager can authorize anyone to carry a relightable lamp, as long as that person has been on a course, passed the gas test etc and has been issued a certificate proving that fact and meets the M&Q Act's criteria.

[dazbt]

Jul 10, 2011 10:41:18 GMT -5 onotoman said:

Thanks guys that explains a lot.

When I did my training at Vane Tempest Colliery, I was put with a team of guys responsible for checking remote roadways for gas, air flow, unsafe supports etc, this was their sole job in the pit.

We'd go down into the pit, they'd do all of the checking and testing etc, then come out and write up reports etc.

This is the time when I got to play with a Protector Type 6 for long periods.

Was this teams function known as 'Surveying' or something else?

Perhaps it's just possible that these lads were part of the Ventilation dept, the lads that collected dust samples at critical points throughout the pit, checking airflows and tabulating them etc ?.......... round the pit inside two hours and out for a game of footie behind the washery, canny lads in general.

[onotoman]

Jul 10, 2011 12:44:51 GMT -5 dazbt said:

Jul 10, 2011 10:41:18 GMT -5 onotoman said:

Thanks guys that explains a lot.

When I did my training at Vane Tempest Colliery, I was put with a team of guys responsible for checking remote roadways for gas, air flow, unsafe supports etc, this was their sole job in the pit.

We'd go down into the pit, they'd do all of the checking and testing etc, then come out and write up reports etc.

This is the time when I got to play with a Protector Type 6 for long periods.

Was this teams function known as 'Surveying' or something else?

Perhaps it's just possible that these lads were part of the Ventilation dept, the lads that collected dust samples at critical points throughout the pit, checking airflows and tabulating them etc ?.......... round the pit inside two hours and out for a game of footie behind the washery, canny lads in general.

Yes, that sounds right! 'Ventilation Team' I think it was and yes, I thought they had a good job - we were usually back up by about 14:00 at the latest. Then I got to play with the lamps while they wrote up their findings.