Coal Mining
Coal miners faced the worst hardships and conditions ever.
Safety Hazards of the Coal Mine
Exhausted workers suffered accidents from machines that had no safety devices. They often lost limbs and fingers. Miners also did not wear much clothes because it became very hot while working. Some even went completely nude. Family members would constantly worry about the safety of their wife, son, daughter, mom, husband, or daughter. All of the miners worked in dark mines and the coal dust destroyed their lungs. They were also always in danger of flooding, explosions, being buried alive, suffocation from poisonous gases, and collapsing tunnels.
Dirt Covered Miner
Workers were filthy after and during work.
Fingers Lost in Mining Accidents
Example of "minor" mining accident where the miner "only" lost a finger.
Trammers
Trammers arriving at the mouth of the pit with loaded trams.
Working Hours for All
Working hours were long, with shifts lasting for 12-16 hours, six to seven days a week depending on if you were a child, woman, or man.
Women, Children, and Family Workers
Children specialized in climbing into mining shafts that were considered to narrow for adults. Both women and children could crawl through narrow underground passages, some as low as 16 to 18 inches in height. They also pulled carts for 10 to 20 miles a day.
Families would also work together at long hours at a time.
Ages of Children Workers
Children started working at age 7 or eight and a few worked as young as 5. Because children had helped with work on the farm, parents accepted the idea of child labor.
The Positive Aspects of Coal Mining
Coal reserves are a source of fossil fuel that is generally safe from international embargoes. It also uses production, transportation, and combustion technology that is easily understood. Extended coal use technology can provide a wide range of other hydrocarbon products generally obtained from oil. The job also paid more than any other job at the time.