What makes a good longwall operator?

摘要

I STARTED my mining career in 1974 in Yorkshire. I was fortunate enough to have been trained by some vastly experienced coal miners, some of whom commenced their mining careers in the 1930s, well before the advent of hydraulic roof supports and high powered electrical cutting machines. Back in those days, it was Geordie props, split bars, lids, picks and shovels. "High technology" was compressed air. In this column I have itemised what would have made a good longwall operator back then and compared it with today's ideal operator.