New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
SPOWART
Forename
David
Day
05
Month
07
Year
1927
Age
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Donibristle, James & Marion Pits
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Cowdenbeath
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
Information from the Mines Inspector's Report - 1927: By machinery At Donibristle (James and Marion Colliery), Fife, on 5th July, a haulage motorman who was in charge of a 50 h.p. electrically driven direct rope haulage left his controls whilst a rake of loaded tubs was being hauled. No one was present and nobody knew exactly what he meant to do, but he probably intended to adjust a lubricator beside a pair of gear wheels. He was caught by these gear wheels and killed. There was no need for him to do as he did while the rake was in running, and, in fact, he ought to have stood by his controls all the time the machinery was in motion. There was no fence between him and the gear wheels, but otherwise the machinery was well fenced. I judged Section 55 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, was not complied with and asked sanction for prosecution, but on the case being taken to Court the Sheriff held there was no contravention.