THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES IN MINES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—At this time, when so many able minds are engaged in considering what new inventions can be discovered to minimise
the number of colliery explosions, it may not be inopportune to discuss the custom which prevails as to that fertile cause of ex- plosions,—the use of gunpowder and other explosive substances in mines. It is, I understand, admitted that where it would be dangerous to work with a naked light gunpowder should not be used, although in many of the South Yorkshire collieries where the safety-lamp is thought requisite, gunpowder is freely used. The eighth general rule of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, provides :—(8.) Gunpowder or other explosive or inflammable substance shall only be used in the mine underground as
follows :- (f) It shall not be taken into or be in the possession of any person. in any mine except in cartridges, and shall not be need except in accordance with the following regulations, daring three months after any inflammable gas has been found in any mine, namely :-1. A com- petent person, who shall be appointed for the purpose, shall immediately before firing the shot examine the place where it is to be used, and the places contiguous thereto, and shall not allow the shot to be fired unless he finds it safe to do so ; and a shot shall not be fired except by, or under, the direction of a competent person, who shall be appointed for the purpose. 2. If the said inflammable gas issued so freely that it showed a blue cap on the flame of the safety-lamp, it shall only be used,. —(a) Either in those cases of stone drifts and sinking of shafts, in which the ventilation is so managed that the return air from the place where the powder is used passes into the main return air-course, without pass- ing any place in actual course of working ; or (b), when the persona ordinarily employed in the mine are out of the mine, or out of the part of the mine where it is used."
The first sign of the presence of inflammable gas is that a blue light is shown on the flame of the lamp. From the rule above referred to one would infer that a blue cap on the lamp indicated a greater quantity of inflammable gas than had to be provided for by paragraph (j) of the eighth general rule, and that when the blue cap shows, extra precautions are to be adopted, but it is not the practice thus to interpret the rule.
It will be seen that the rule governing the use of explosives is most ambiguously worded, and it is surely time to make it illegal to use gunpowder and such like substances in any mine so fiery as to require to be worked with safety-lamps. Where the safety-lamp is a necessary precaution, it is surely necessary that no explosive substance should be used which may have the effect of freeing and igniting gas, although it may not be present when.
the shot is authorised.—I am, Sir, &c., Join,' E. WARD. Woodbank, Caerleon-on-Usk, October 14th.
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