Improvements in Working Conditions

Aims: Identify how working conditions in the mines improved between 1842 and 1930.

So far we know… The 1842 Coal Mining Act banned women and children under 10 from working in the mines. As well as this, there was an inspector appointed for the whole of Britain to make sure the new rules were being followed. Remember he wasn’t allowed to go down into the pits until 1850!

As well as this… Further legislation (laws) had been introduced to make mining a safer and more comfortable job. Each mine had to have safety rules. Mines had to have an emergency exit in case of an accident. Boys under 12 were not allowed underground unless they could read and write. New laws said that managers had to sit a test to make sure they were up to the job. An 8 hour day rule was brought in for underground workers. It was later reduced further to 7 hours. Baths had to be available at the pithead for miners.

Tasks How reliable do you think the Royal Commission’ investigation into conditions in the mines was? What changes were introduced by the 1842 Coal Mining Act? Copy the box on page 35 of your textbook on ‘Further Legislation’.

Further Improvements The Davy lamp was introduced in the 1830s. The lamp allowed miners to work deep underground without the risk of fire , The flame was protected by a gauze mesh. This would stop the ignition of dangerous gases. The gas also warned of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning as if there was little oxygen in the air the lamp would go out.

Pit Ponies Ponies were used to replace women and child labourers and hauled the coal instead of the BEARERS. In 1913 there were 70,000 ponies underground in Britain! Iron/steel rails were put in place and the ponies pulled the coal along the rails.

Further Improvements Ventilation fans improved air quality from the 1860s. Powerful engines replaced old pumps to drain the mines and reduce the risk of flooding. Metal pit props introduced in the late 1800s reduced the risk of tunnels collapsing. The old ones had been made of wood.

Further Improvements Steam driven machinery raised miners and coal up and down the pit in steel cages Mechanical cutting equipment also made the hewers job less back-breaking. In the just over 50 years conditions in coal mining had improved dramatically.

How Did This Improve Conditions For Miners? Task Improvement How Did This Improve Conditions For Miners? Ventilation Fans Steam Pumps Pit Ponies Pit Props Cutting equipment Cages Safety Lamp