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Jobs and Roles in the Mines
There was a hierarchical structure in the mining workforce. Workers were expected to start at the bottom of the ladder and slowly climb the ranks, with positions of seniority reserved for the most experienced and qualified miners.
Terminology in reference to the jobs changed as the industry evolved. Below you will find the descriptions that broadly fit the roles of Cumberland’s workforce from the 1880s through to the 1950s.
Can you spot what job you’d be likely hired to do?
Manager
The manager of a colliery was top of the ladder.
Responsibilities:
- All underground and surface work arrangements.
- Deciding major expenditures, including tramways, railway additions, pumping engines and other heavy machinery.
- Hiring and firing of employees.

Overman
Deputy to the manager. They were more involved with colliery operations. Where a colliery had multiple pits, there were multiple overmen. A certificate of competency was necessary to apply to an overman's position.
Responsibilities:
- Inspecting the pit's safety each day before shifts began.
- Keeping a record of the work completed.
Fireboss
Firebosses were usually the first person to enter a mine and verify its safety, reporting their findings to the overman.
Responsibilities:
- Examine the mine for firedamp and other flammable gasses present.
- Inspect for fires caused by blasting.
- Inspect general safety of the mine.

Contract Miner, Hewer
Hewers, known as ‘Contract Miners’ in Cumberland, were one of the most skilled miners. They were paid by a piecework system, which was calculated by the tonnage of coal they cut. They would often start as apprentices and helpers and develop into the role.
Responsibilities:
- Cut the coal from the face.

Shotlighter
Appointed by the manager. Would be required to attain qualifications and certifications for the role.
Responsibilities:
- Examining an area for gas prior to the controlled detonation of an explosive charge underground.
- Ensure all safety regulations prior to detonation are followed and adhered to.


Weighman
They were chosen by ballot, and the miners' representative. Hewers would keep on the right side of the weighman to ensure they had as good a pay package as possible.
Responsibilities:
- Check the weight of coal cut by the hewers and ensure they were paid accordingly.

Rope Runner
Often younger, a rope rider rode the connection between the coal cars to signal that the cars were full and it was time to pull the cars to the surface.
Responsibilities:
- Fasten and unfasten haulage cables to trips when transporting them up and down tramways and underground railways.
- Accompany sets of cars that are hauled up or lower down on a slope to signal when it is lime to start and stop.

Trapper
They were the youngest miners, often the sons of older miners and was their first jobs underground.
Responsibilities:
- Opening and closing the wooden doors (trap doors) that allowed fresh air to flow through the mine.
Mule Driver
Mule drivers were often young miners that had started out as trappers. In Cumberland many mule drivers were Chinese miners, with many considering them as the best mule drivers.
Responsibilities:
- Accompanying the mule and the carts of coal they hauled to and from the working face either to the haulage system to the bottom of the shaft or slope.


Pumpman
The Pumpman was usually a slightly more experienced worker. They would attain certifications to allow them to use the machinery and the role was crucial to the safe running of the mine. In the case of a mine busting a leak, they would pump water out of the mine to prevent it flooding. At other times they would pump water into the mine to a series of hoses to water workings and prevent coal dust hanging in the tunnels - vital in improving breathing conditions for the workers underground.
Responsibilities:
- Start and stop the pumping engine at the pithead.
- Maintain the pumping engine; keeping parts cleaned, oiled and functioning and doing safety checks when required.

Trackman
A popular role with old railway workers, this job required strength to lift the heavy beams and position the heavy metal girders and wooden railroad ties into place.
Responsibilities:
- Laying the mining tramway/railway tracks to enable coal carts to move freely through the coal mines and to the loading wharfs.
- Maintaining the tramway/railway tracks.
Helper
Helpers were hired to assist hewers. Often hewers would hire their sons or other young miners in an apprenticeship capacity. However, in Cumberland, many hewers hired Asian miners as helpers.
Responsibilities:
- Moving the coal into a tub to be transported to the pithead.
- Cleaning the hewers work area to improve the hewers efficiency.
- Propping working areas with timber if required to ensure the working area is safe.

Picker
Pickers were usually the youngest or the eldest in the workforce. Boys who were not yet old enough to work underground, and men who were too old and frail to.
Responsibilities:
- Picking the coal at the picking tables at the pithead.
- Sorting the coal from the waste rock.


Labourer
Labourers were considered the least skilled position in the workforce. They were the human equivalent of the mule; doing the heavy lifting no one else wanted to do!
Responsibilities:
- General tasks in and around the pit. These could include moving timbers below ground, propping roofs with sprags, and digging new tunnels.