What was life like working in a coal mine?

What life was like for children who worked in the mines during the Industrial Revolution. Huge amounts of coal were needed and children as young as five worked at jobs that were dangerous and exhausting. Trappers kept the airflow going which stopped the build-up of dangerous gases.

Is working in a coal mine bad for your health?

Underground coal mining health risks Increased rates of respiratory disease, lung cancer, and low birth weight can all be associated and linked to townships that are situated close to mines.

What is the life expectancy of mine workers?

The average life expectancy in the coal mines for those starting work at 15 y was found to be 58.91 y and 49.23 y for surface and underground workers respectively. In the coloured/metal mines they were 60.24 y and 56.55 y respectively.

How many people still work in coal mines?

How many people are employed in the Coal Mining industry in the US in 2021? There are 38,340 people employed in the Coal Mining industry in the US as of 2021.

How many hours do miners work a day?

Friedman said that miners often work 47 or 48 hours per week, clocking multiple 10- to 12-hour shifts, which is above the national average for workers, which is about 38 hours per week.

Do coal miners still get black lung?

In 2018, black lung disease in miners hit a 25-year high. In Appalachia, cases of black lung rose to levels unseen since the 1970s, when modern coal dust regulations were implemented. “The dust is never removed from the lungs, so even after people are exposed it can continue to cause problems.

Is coal mining bad for your lungs?

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as “black lung disease,” occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common among coal miners.

How bad is it to be a coal miner?

Stunning photos show what it’s really like to work deep underground in an American coal mine. In the US, coal mining is a shrinking industry. In 1923, there were about 883,000 coal miners; today there are about 53,000.

Do miners like their jobs?

Some miners love it. It can be a family tradition, it’s exciting, and the pay is usually pretty good. When a mine closes, miners would often rather work in another mine elsewhere than retrain. Curtis Burton, a 42-year-old coal miner, who spent 17 years working in mines, told Business Insider what the job is like.