| Year | Month | Day | Name of Colliery | Where situated | Owner or Company | Person(s) killed | Surname | Occupation | Age | Category | Cause of accident and remarks | Extra details |
| 1881 | January | 3 | Baton | Shotts, Lanark | Shotts Iron Co | Thos. | Docherty | Screenman | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | Jammed between two empty waggons at screens | |
| 1881 | January | 4 | Fauldhouse No 12 | Whitburn, Linlithgow | Wm Dixon Ltd | Hugh | McCoul | Drawer | 12 1/2 | In ironstone mines | Fall of roof while filling a hutch at face. Long wall | |
| 1881 | January | 5 | Devon, Furnace Bank pit | Clackmannan | Alloa Coal Co | Wm. | Moodie | Manager | 56 | In shafts – falling from part way down | Washed off a bunton into 50 fathoms of water. The pump had ceased to discharge water, and the sinkers were going to look at the bucket at the clack-door, which had been taken off. When the bucket was lowered to the door water rushed out upon him unexpectedly. | |
| 1881 | January | 11 | Fairybank No 2 | Newhouse, Holytown | Miller and Henderson | Thos. | Gibson | Driver | 14 | Falls of roof | On horse road; long wall | |
| 1881 | January | 25 | Broxburn, Hayscraig mine | Uphall, Linlithgow | Broxburn Oil Co Ltd | Wm. | Armstrong | Miner | 29 | In shale mines | While riding up the mine, between two water barrels, his head struck the roof. It was against orders to ride on the incline. | |
| 1881 | January | 26 | Newbattle, Shaw's pit | Newbattle, Edinburgh | Marquis of Lothian | Peter | Allan | Collier | 53 | Falls of sides | While “shearing” a part of the “mid” coal fell. Stoop and room | |
| 1881 | February | 7 | Chapelside No 2 | New Monkland, Lanark | Ferrier & Strain | John | King | Drawer | 18 | In shafts – falling from part way down | Fell with a hutch from Kiltongue (mid-working) to Drumgray seam. There was a gate, but it had been left open. | |
| 1881 | February | 19 | Burnbank & Ladyton | Galston | Boyd, Gilmour & Co. | John | Brown | Collier | 17 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | February | 22 | Braehead | Lugar | Eg. Iron Co. | James | Collins | Brusher | 38 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | February | 27 | Cadder No 15 | Bishopbriggs | Carron Iron Co | James | Lynch | Drawer | 30 | Explosion of fire damp | Explosion of firedamp From Main body of report: The first [explosion of firedamp] happened to a young man, a drawer, who it appears, had gone into an abandoned mine used sometimes as a “stow” road, and partly filled with debris, in which there was no circulation of air beyond a few feet past the entrance. He ignited some firedamp, and was so severely injured by the explosion that he died next day from the effects therof. The fireman admitted that he had not been in the road for a some days previous to the explosion, that it was used as a “stow” road, and previous to the accident firedamp was not known to exist in it. He was charged at the instance of the Procurator Fiscal with culpable violation, or neglect of duty as fireman, and having failed or neglected before the men entered, to examine the mine as required by the 34th Special Rule, or otherwise with failing or neglecting to place a fence across entrance of said mine. He pled guilty to the first alternative charge, and was fined the sum of 60s., failing payment to suffer 21 days imprisonment. | |
| 1881 | February | 28 | Donibristle, Isabella pit | Aberdour, Fife | Grieve & Nasmyth | Geo. | Beveridge | Inclinesman | 54 | Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes | Jammed by runaway hutch at foot of incline (cut chain) | |
| 1881 | March | 2 | Lumphinnans No 7 | Ballingry, Fife | Lumphinnans Iron Co | John | Bowman | Collier | 16 | Falls of roof | At roadhead, six feet from face; long wall | Newspaper report - Beath accidents |
| 1881 | March | 5 | Carfin No 2 | Bothwell, Lanark | Carfin Coal Co | Charles | Law | Collier | 43 | Falls of roof | At face; long wall | Newspaper report |
| 1881 | March | 10 | Camp | Wilkieson | Wm. Torrance | Laurence | Murray | Miner | 35 | In metalliferous mines | Fall of a block of limestone at face | |
| 1881 | March | 12 | Meadowhead No 3 | Dalziel, Lanark | Glasgow Iron Co | James | Lindsay | Bottomer | 20 | Miscellaneous in shafts | While adjusting a hutch on the cage a signal was accidentally given, and deceased was squeezed between the cage and door-heads | |
| 1881 | March | 14 | North Motherwell No 2 | Dalziel, Lanark | Merry & Cunninghame | John | Queen | Collier | 29 | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | Fell out of cage while ascending from his work with two others, it was supposed in a fainting fit. | |
| 1881 | March | 24 | Brownyside No1 | New Monkland, Lanark | Wm Black & Sons | John | Black | Brusher | 50 | Falls of roof | At face of brushing while putting in a building; long wall | |
| 1881 | March | 28 | Dolphingstone, No 2 | Prestonpans, Haddington | Prestongrange Coal & Iron Co Ltd | John | Cullen | Collier | -- | Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes | Jammed by a runaway hutch at foot of incline | |
| 1881 | March | 29 | Leven No 1 | Wemyss, Fife | Fife Coal Co Ltd | Robt. | Gillies | Wagon shifter | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | While shifting a loaded waggon his head came in contact with a steam pipe. He was riding on the wrong side of the waggon. | |
| 1881 | March | 31 | Stonecraigs No 4 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | Adam | Mains | Driver | 18 | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | Hutches went off rails at a curve, and he was jammed against side. He had neglected to put in all the snibbles. | |
| 1881 | April | 2 | Barrwood No 2 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | James | Mitchell | Collier | 36 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | April | 7 | Greenhead No 3 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | John | Hamilton | Bottomer | 66 | Miscellaneous in shafts | Cage came down on him while crossing cage seat. There was a good road by the side of shaft. | |
| 1881 | April | 7 | Niddrie, No 11 | Liberton, Edinburgh | Benhar Coal Co Ltd | Robt. | Spiers | Collier | -- | Miscellaneous underground – explosions of gunpowder | Shot had exploded; he was found dead. Stoop and room. Edge coal | |
| 1881 | April | 9 | Addiewell No 2 Muirhall | West Calder, Edinburgh | Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co Ltd | Jas. | McAvoy | Miner | 36 | In shale mines | Struck by empty hutch at top of an incline plane. The hutches were lowered and raised by gravity, and he allowed the empty to go past the landing at the face. It contained two props, and one of these or the hutch jammed him. | Newspaper report _ Lothian pages |
| 1881 | April | 11 | Shawfield | Carluke, Lanark | John Wilson | Alex | Scott | Wagon shifter | -- | Miscellaneous on surface | He was attempting to pass between two waggons while the locomotive was shunting a train, and was squeezed between the buffers | Newspaper Report |
| 1881 | April | 12 | Motherwell No 4 | Hamilton, Lanark | John Watson | John | Waugh | Collier | 23 | Falls of roof | While drawing props at the stooping in main coal | Newspaper Report |
| 1881 | April | 15 | Cleland No 3 | Bothwell, Lanark | Wm Dixon Ltd | Terence | Reilly | Collier | 55 | Falls of sides | While “holing” the coal and “falling” fell upon him. Long wall | |
| 1881 | April | 16 | Highfield No 2 | Beith | M & Cunningham | John | Allen | Miner | 48 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | April | 20 | Brownlee | Carluke, Lanark | Archd. Russell | Robt. | Scott | Collier | -- | Falls of sides | While “holing” at the stooping a piece of coal fell upon him. Died 4th May. Stoop and room | |
| 1881 | April | 22 | Westfield | West Calder | Wm Baird & Co | Sylvester | Morrison | Miner | 25 | In metalliferous mines | Fall of limestone at face | |
| 1881 | April | 30 | Afton, Old Main's pit | Alloa, Clackmannan | Alloa Coal Co | Joseph Hunter | Yates | Collier | 45 | Falls of roof | At face while taking off coal; long wall | |
| 1881 | May | 2 | Hurlford No 18 | Hurlford | A Gilmour & Co | Jos. | McKillop | Collier | 29 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal | |
| 1881 | May | 2 | Largoward No 1 | Kilconquhar, Fife | Thos. Brown & Sons | Thomas | Smith | Collier | 32 | Falls of sides | At face, while “holing” the coal. Long wall | |
| 1881 | May | 3 | Carfin No 7 | Bothwell, Lanark | Wm Dixon Ltd | James | Cairney | Collier | 24 | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | The accident happened in a new shaft. The deceased and two others were breaking away the levels in the main coal before cages were put in. While ascending at end of shift, a wrong signal was given, and deceased fell off the kettle while it was going too quickly. | |
| 1881 | May | 7 | Caprington No 35 | Kilmarnock | W S Cunningham | Chas. | Houston | Collier | 20 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | May | 10 | Govan No 5 | Glasgow | W S Dixon | Edw. | O'Neil | Brusher | 50 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof. Died on 23rd June | |
| 1881 | May | 10 | Govan No 6 | Glasgow | W S Dixon | Andw. | Izatt | Collier | 24 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal | Newspaper report |
| 1881 | May | 14 | Arniston, Emily pit | Cockpen, Edinburgh | Arniston Coal Co | Robt. | Simpson | Collier | 50 | Falls of sides | While drawing the sprags from the coal it fell upon him. Great seam. Stoop and room | |
| 1881 | May | 23 | Kilbirnie No 31 | Dalry | M & Cunningham | Hugh | Grant | Miner | 21 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof at face | |
| 1881 | May | 23 | Newbattle, Engine pit | Newbattle, Edinburgh | Marquis of Lothian | Alex | Lawson | Shaftsman | 30 | Miscellaneous in shafts | Jammed between cage and landing at a mid-working. His foot slipped while in the act of signalling. | Newspaper report _ Lothian pages |
| 1881 | May | 23 | Dalharco No 2 | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | Thos | Johnstone | Trimmer | 22 | Above ground | Fell across the rails accidentally whilst “breaking” a waggon From Main body of report: Was run over by a waggon which he was shifting at the scree, and endeavouring to “brake.” | |
| 1881 | May | 27 | Ferniegare No 1 | Hamilton, Lanark | Archd. Russell | John | McKendrick | Fireman | 48 | Falls of roof | While drawing props at the stooping in main coal | Newspaper report - Hamilton pages |
| 1881 | June | 9 | Polkemmet | Whitburn, Linlithgow | Coltness Iron Co | David | Struthers | Miner | 36 | In ironstone mines | Fall of roof on main road. Long wall | |
| 1881 | June | 10 | Burgh No 1 | Irvine | M & Cunningham | John | Boyd | Pitheadman | 29 | In shafts | Fell off a scaffold whilst engaged putting in a “gable” From Main body of report: Along with a neighbour workman, was being lowered upon a scaffold, in a shaft being sunk, with materials for securing the guide rods, when the scaffold on which they were standing suddenly canted, and they were both thrown down; the deceased fell away and onwards to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 110 yards, whilst his neighbour retained his hold of the chain and was rescued uninjured. As to the cause of the accident, apparently one side of the scaffold had got slightly jammed, and afterwards dropped, it is supposed, 6 feet. | |
| 1881 | June | 11 | Auldhouseburn | Muirkirk | John Watson | James | Gilmour | Roadsman | 26 | In shafts | Fell off the cage as appeared to his fellow workmen in a swoon From Main body of report: So far as I could learn, fell off the cage, where he had been engaged with the oversman repairing the shaft, whilst in a fainting fit or swoon. | |
| 1881 | June | 11 | Mainhill No 1 | Baillieston | W Baird & Co | Michael | Cowen | Brusher | 26 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof whilst building under it | |
| 1881 | June | 13 | Craigmark No 1 | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | James | Smith | Collier | 38 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal. Injured on the 7th; died on the 13th | |
| 1881 | June | 23 | Redburn No 4 | Kilwinning | Eg. Iron Co. | Andw. | Stewart | Collier | 17 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof on main drawing road | |
| 1881 | June | 23 | Garriongill No 7 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | Andrew | Rae | Fireman | 38 | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | He was connecting the pump rod to a crank, and another crank in motion squeezed him against an upright post. | |
| 1881 | June | 30 | Loanhead, Ramsay pit | Lasswade, Edinburgh | Shotts Iron Co | Robt. | Jones | Collier | 53 | In shafts – falling from part way down | Fell with a hutch down incline. Edge coal | |
| 1881 | July | 1 | Commondyke No 1 | Lugar | Eg. Iron Co. | Peter | Mains | Miner | 45 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of ironstone | |
| 1881 | July | 5 | Kinneil, Snab pit | Bownees, Linlithgow [Bo'ness] | Kinneil Iron Co | Richd. | Sneddon | Drawer | 33 | Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes | While turning an empty tub at top of incline it got away and carried him down the incline | |
| 1881 | July | 13 | Flemington | Cambuslang | Flemington Coal Co | James | Corrigan | Collier | 52 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | Newspaper Report |
| 1881 | July | 14 | Muiredge, Rosie pit | Buckhaven, Fife | Bowman & Co | William | Semple | Fireman | -- | Miscellaneous in shafts | He was assisting the bottomer, and while pulling the second empty tub out the cage was lifted, and he was squeezed against the door-heads. The bottomer said no signal was given, but the engineman said there was one made. | |
| 1881 | July | 15 | Auchenraith | Blantyre, Lanark | Merry & Cunningham | Jas. | Beacroft | Shot firer | -- | Miscellaneous underground – explosions of gunpowder | Shot had exploded; he was found dead. Long wall | Newspaper Report - Blantyre pages |
| 1881 | July | 15 | Pentland | Loanhead, near Edinburgh | Clippens Oil Co Ltd | Thos. | Connelly | Miner | 30 | In shale mines | Fall of shale. | |
| 1881 | July | 20 | Twechar No 2 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | Jas. | Abercrombie | Miner | 34 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of ironstone | |
| 1881 | July | 28 | Bellfield | Hurlford | Bellfield Coal Co. | Wm. | Gold | Collier | 40 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal. Injured on the 24th; died on the 28th | |
| 1881 | August | 3 | North Motherwell No 5 | Dalziel, Lanark | Merry & Cunninghame | William | Reid | Screenman | 18 | Miscellaneous on surface | Jammed between a waggon upon which he was riding and a scaffold; at screens | |
| 1881 | August | 6 | Clydesdale, No 3 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Archd. Russell | Alex. | Wotherspoon | Stone picker | 14 | Miscellaneous on surface | Fell off the buffers of a waggon which was being shifted forward at screen. It is supposed that he struck the scaffold. | |
| 1881 | August | 6 | Earnock No 1 | Hamilton, Lanark | John Watson | Daniel | Gray | Driver | 27 | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | He was in front of a train of loaded hutches; his foot slipped, and he fell in before them | |
| 1881 | August | 11 | Bogleshole No 4 | Tollcross | Jas Dunlop & Co. | Thomas | Swan | Collier | 75 | In shafts | Fell from the cage whilst ascending; he had worked 68 years in pits From Main body of report: Happened to an aged workman who, it was reported, had been employed for upwards of 65 years in mines; he was being raised on the cage with a neighbour workman, and when about 16 fathoms up he suddenly fell away. It is possible that he may have been taken suddenly ill and fallen away. It was the opinion, however, of his neighbour that he had overbalanced himself whilst endeavouring to adjust his dress or fasten a belt which he wore round his waist. | |
| 1881 | August | 12 | Eldin No 1 | Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh | Eldin Colliery Co | Thos. | Dawson | Bottomer | 40 | Falls of roof | On road, within four yards of shaft (New pit); long wall | |
| 1881 | August | 22 | Bredisholm No 2 | Bothwell, Lanark | Provanhall Coal Co | Ed. | McGraw | Shaftsman | 30 | In shafts – falling from part way down | Fell from main coal to splint coal. He was incautiously stepping across the corner of winding shaft, when the cage struck him | |
| 1881 | August | 24 | Twechar No 1 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | Wm. | Ross | Miner | 27 | Miscellaneous underground | By blasting From Main body of report: Took place by some misunderstanding as to the time when a shot was to be fired, and the unfortunate sufferer, being within the range of the shot, got severely injured, and died from the effects thereof two days after. | |
| 1881 | August | 25 | Rawyards No 4 | New Monkland, Lanark | Rawyards Coal Co Ltd | James | Dallett | Brusher | 40 | Falls of roof | At face of brushing. The stone fell while he was knocking out props from under it to make the shot work better; long wall | |
| 1881 | August | 26 | East Plean | Charles | Stevenson | See entry under 26 September 1881 | ||||||
| 1881 | August | 29 | North Motherwell No 2 | Dalziel, Lanark | Merry & Cunninghame | Alex | Jack | Roadsman | 30 | Falls of roof | On drawing road at a junction; long wall | Newspaper Report - Lanarkshire pages |
| John | Brooks | Roadsman | 25 | |||||||||
| John | Mulligan | Collier | 18 | |||||||||
| 1881 | August | 29 | Orchard | Giffnock | Baird and Stevenson | Patrick | Fox | Miner | 24 | In metalliferous mines | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | September | 8 | Stepends No 1 | Cumnock | Eg. Iron Co. | Alex | Steel | Miner | 21 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | September | 9 | Enterkine No 9 | Ayr | G Taylor & Co. | Alex | Park | Collier | 32 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | September | 12 | Cowdenbeath No 3 | Beath, Fife | Cowdenbeath Coal Co | James | Allan | Brusher | 26 | Falls of roof | While repairing a road within 30 yards of the shaft; long wall | Newspaper report - Beath accidents |
| 1881 | September | 14 | Overtown No 3 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | John Wilson | Hugh | Mullen | Stoker | 45 | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | He went down in the cage to get water in the shaft, and, after signalling to ascend, is supposed to have fallen off. | |
| 1881 | September | 17 | Craignethan | Lesmahagow, LKS | Craignethan Gas Coal Co | Wm. | Steel | Chain runner | 14 | Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes | Run over by tubs on an engine plane | |
| 1881 | September | 18 | Annandale No 9 | Kilmarnock | A Finnie & Son | Thos. | Stewart | Collier | 17 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | September | 18 | Calderbank No 2 | Baillieston | P Hall Coal Co | Henry | Lafferty | Collier | 20 | Explosion of fire damp | Explosion of firedamp From Main body of report: The third explosion occurred much in the same way as the first described. The deceased, when passing the entrance to a place not at the time in course of extension, either for some reason or inadvertently, went into it, and ignited some gas, by which he was injured, and died from the effects a few days after. In this case the fireman admitted that when he made his examination he found a little gas, but had displaced it. This, however, did not prevent it collecting again as there was not sufficient brattice to maintain a circulation of air, under the circumstances the proper course would have been to ventilate the place. | |
| 1881 | September | 19 | Lucknow | Stevenston | Eg. Iron Co. | Wm. | Wallace | Collier | 56 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | September | 26 | East Plean | Bannockburn | Paterson & Thomson | Chas. | Stevenson | Collier | 14 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof |
Newspaper report -
Stirling pages NB Date actually 26 August 1881 |
| 1881 | September | 28 | Gartshore No 2 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | James | Star | Miner | 21 | In shafts | Overwinding by an unauthorised engineman From Main body of report: Two [accidents due to overwinding] happened when the regular engineman were not working the engine. It would scarcely be correct to state they were absent, for they were near, but practically speaking the engine was not being worked under their control, but by persons who had nothing to do with the machinery. Referring to the first, the overman of the pit, at the change of a shift, apparently with the concurrence of the regular engineman, in reply to a signal from below, commenced to raise the cage with two workmen upon it, and continued to raise it above the usual landing. One of the men was seriously injured by being drawn over the pulley, but his neighbour leapt or fell from the cage and down the shaft, a distance of 256 yards, and was killed. [See also Dec 24 1881] | Newspaper report - Stirling pages |
| 1881 | September | 30 | Barrwood No 2 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | James | Irvine | furnaceman | 18 | Above ground | Got entangled with the machinery From Main body of report: Got entangled with the pumping machinery whilst attempting to enter the enginehouse in an irregular way. | |
| 1881 | September | 30 | Genclelland No 1 | Dalziel, Lanark | Kerr & Mitchell | William | Linn | Collier | 27 | Explosion of fire damp | Gas was lying in a hole within 6 feet of the side of the road which deceased used, and he ignited it as he passed. He died in the Infirmary. The fireman said he found no gas in the morning | |
| 1881 | September | 30 | Hamilton Hill No 2 | Glasgow | Stone Coal Co | John | Faulds | Sinker | 42 | In shafts | While looking over the cage he came in contact with a bunten, and fell down the shaft From Main body of report: Whilst looking over the cage when in motion, came in contact with a “bunton” and fell down the shaft. | |
| 1881 | September | 31 | Pennyvenie No1 | Dalmellington | Dalmellington Iron Co | James | O'Neil | Collier | 32 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | October | 4 | Camp No 2 | Dalziel, Lanark | J Williams & Co | David | Brown | Brusher | 50 | Falls of roof | At face of brushing while drawing props from below it; long wall | |
| 1881 | October | 5 | Knightswood No 9 | Maryhill | Summerlee Iron Co | John | Hay | Collier | 26 | Explosion of fire damp | Explosion of firedamp From Main body of report: The second [explosion of firedamp] occurred in a mine which was in the act of being opened up, the only work at the time being of a preparatory kind, such as arranging pitbottom, and forming a second means of egress. At the time of the accident there was only one place in the course of extension. It appears that the deceased, two brothers, had contracted to carry on the work with three shifts in the 24 hours. The first shift commenced at 6am, the second at 2pm, and the third at 10pm. In this way the work was carried on continuously in shifts of eight hours, the only cessation being from Saturday night till Monday morning. I understand that it was customary for the overman, who at the time also acted as fireman, to be the first to go down the pit on the Monday mornings, and examine the mine before the first shift commenced, but as each shift was relieved by the one that followed it no further special examination was made during the week. The continuity of the work was interrupted by the illness of one of the workmen, and on the morning of the accident when the deceased reached the pit, they apparently, without let or hindrance, got possession of a safety lamp, and went to their work. They were the only person in the mine, and it was stated by the engineman that when they left him to go on the cage to be lowered, they had a safety lamp, lighted, and also carried an open light, and I believe with these they entered the mine. After leaving the pit bottom they had gone towards their working place, where they encountered the fire damp, which produced the explosion, and which, in all probability, was ignited by one of their open lights. A fall of roof had taken place during the night, about 12 yards back from the face, which deranged the brattice, and this, in all likelihood, was the cause of the accumulation of firedamp. The quantity of gas, considering the contracted space, and the amount of damage done, could not be great. The deceased were both badly burned, and though rescued alive died soon after from the effects of the injuries. It appears that previous to the accident no accumulation of gas had been known to exist, and the workmen used open lights. It was known to the fireman that deceased had at least on one occasion, after a cessation of work, entered the mine before an examination was made. He failed to check this irregularity, and on that account was charged by the Procurator Fiscal with contravention of the special rules. The engineman whose duty it was to prevent any person descending into the mine until the fireman had reported the safety of doing so, was also charged with a violation of the special rules, they were both tried, found guilty, and fine 40s each, or suffer 30 days imprisonment. | |
| Baird | Hay | Collier | 24 | |||||||||
| 1881 | October | 6 | Bank | N. Cumnock | Bank Coal Co | David | Stevenson | Collier | 36 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal. Injured on the 30th ult. | |
| 1881 | October | 8 | Muirhead No 3 | Shotts, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | David | White | Oversman | 48 | In ironstone mines | While changing a bucket, the rope on which it was suspended broke, and the bucket carried away the scaffold on which he was standing. | Newspaper Report |
| 1881 | October | 8 | Muirhouses | Near Linlithgow | Muirhouses Coal Co Ltd | Jos. | Rae | Sinker | 27 | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | While he was stepping on the kettle the rope slipped off the drum and he fell down the shaft | |
| 1881 | October | 9 | Glenclelland | Dalziel, Lanark | Kerr & Mitchell | John | McLaren | Collier | 43 | Falls of sides | At stooping in main coal | |
| 1881 | October | 13 | Shields No 1 | Dalziel, Lanark | James Wood | John | Reid | Driver | 15 | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | He was walking behind a race of hutches when some others ran amain and jammed him | |
| 1881 | October | 24 | Overtown Station No 2 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Brand & Co | James | Millar | Collier | 48 | Falls of roof | At face of stooping in main coal | |
| Sam. | Millar | Collier | 21 | |||||||||
| 1881 | October | 26 | Lochgelly, Eliza pit | Auchterderran, Fife | Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co Ltd | John | Wildridge | Collier | 47 | Falls of roof | At face; long wall. Died 27th Nov. | Newspaper report - Auchterderran pages |
| 1881 | October | 27 | Arniston, Gore pit | Newbattle, Edinburgh | Arniston Coal Co Ltd | John | Ford | Drawer | 28 | Falls of roof | On level road at junction of upset; long wall | |
| 1881 | October | 27 | Foxley | Tollcross | Foxley Coal Co | Wm. | Palmer | Drawer | 14 | Miscellaneous underground | Was run over by a hutch upon a drawing road. From Main body of report: Happened whilst two boys, drawers, were proceeding with a full hutch down a heading road, when one of the “snibbles,”placed to control the speed of the hutch, fell out unobserved by them. In consequence of this the speed of the hutch increased, their lights were extinguished, and one of them came in contact with the roof and was compelled to abandon his hold of the hutch. His companion retained his hold, but was unable to prevent it overtaking the deceased, who was on the heading with a full hutch and failed to get out of the way in time. | |
| 1881 | October | 28 | Common | Lugar | Eg. Iron Co. | Peter | Broggan | Sinker | 59 | In shafts | Overwinding by an unauthorised engineman From Main body of report: Two [accidents due to overwinding] happened when the regular engineman were not working the engine. It would scarcely be correct to state they were absent, for they were near, but practically speaking the engine was not being worked under their control, but by persons who had nothing to do with the machinery. ......... The second occurred at a sinking pit whilst three men were being raised upon a kettle. The contractor for the sinking of the pit was at the time in charge of working the kettle. Instead of stopping the kettle at the pit-mouth or proper landing it was taken up and drawn over the pulley. One of the sinkers managed to get off as the kettle reached the surface, and escaped unhurt, but the others were taken over the pulley with the kettle; one was killed and the other severely injured. | |
| 1881 | November | 4 | Woodend No 4 | Torphichen, Linlithgow | Coltness Iron Co | Jas. | Henderson | Miner | 40 | In ironstone mines | Fall of roof at face. Long wall. | |
| 1881 | November | 5 | Dysart, Lady Blanche pit | Dysart, Fife | Earl of Rosslyn | John | Watson | Bogie man | 40 | Miscellaneous underground – on inclined planes | While riding up the dook on bogie it left the rails and he was thrown off | |
| 1881 | November | 8 | Kilgrammie | Girvan | Cooper & McHarris | James | Cumming | Collier | 18 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of coal and roof | |
| 1881 | November | 11 | West Drumgray, No 3 | New Monkland, Lanark | John Young & Sons | Rich. | Sinnet | Sinker | -- | In shafts – falling from part way down | Fell of a bunton while putting in a set of pipes | |
| 1881 | November | 12 | Craigenhill | Lanark | Thos Todd and Co. | Wm. | Smith | Pitheadman | 50 | In metalliferous mines | Fell down shaft. He pushed an empty hutch into the shaft when the cage was not there. The gate was standing open. | Newspaper Report - Lanarkshire pages |
| 1881 | November | 18 | Alloa, Holton pit | Alloa, Clackmannan | Alloa Coal Co | David | Ramage | Collier | 38 | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | He was coming down a short incline in front of a loaded tub when his foot caught and the tub ran over him. | |
| 1881 | November | 19 | Todhill No 4 | Dalry | Eg. Iron Co. | John | Crane | Labourer | 24 | Above ground | Stumbled into a cesspool and was scalded From Main body of report: In some unexplained manner stumbled into a cesspool containing hot water, and was so severely scalded that he died soon after. | |
| 1881 | November | 21 | Blackrigg No 1 | Slamannan, Stirling | John Watson | James | Swan | Collier | 45 | Falls of roof | At face, while holing the coal; long wall | |
| 1881 | November | 28 | Annocklodge | Irvine | Annocklodge Coal & Oil Co | Edward | Neil | Collier | 26 | Explosion of fire damp | Explosion of firedamp; suffocated From Main body of report: The fourth [explosion of firedamp] happened in a shale mine, and was occasioned by the ignition of a small accumulation of gas. From some mismanagement one of the men at work in the place was not got out till about two hours after the gas was ignited, when he was found dead, not burned, but apparently suffocated from inhaling the afterdamp. It was sufficiently proved that there was no gas in the mine, a stone mine, when the deceased commenced his shift, but had been encountered in an overlying mine, which the fireman had not considered a working place, and so did not examine. Strictly speaking the mine where the gas lay, and which could only be reached by a ladder, was not a working place, but as the deceased and his neighbour were driving a cross cut mine to intersect it, and were at the time near to it, I am of the opinion that it should have been treated as if it formed part of the working place, and examined accordingly. | |
| 1881 | November | 30 | Broomlands No 8 | Irvine | Bourtreehill Coal Co. | Wm. | Finnie, senr. | Collier | 45 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| Wm. | Finnie, junr. | Collier | 14 | |||||||||
| 1881 | November | 30 | Lumphinnans No 1 | Ballingry, Fife | Lumphinnans Iron Co | Alex | Ross | Collier | 58 | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | Crushed between cage and landing at the bottom while attempting to get out of the lower deck of cage. The shuts had not been properly placed to prevent the cage descending through them | Newspaper report - Ballingry pages |
| 1881 | November | 30 | Wilsontown No 3 | Carnwath, Lanark | Wm Dixon Ltd | Thos. | Gillon | Wheelman | 27 | Falls of sides | While assisting the roadsman to put some hutches on the road on an incline | |
| 1881 | December | 6 | Bank | N. Cumnock | Bank Coal Co | John | Murphy | Labourer | 61 | In shafts | Fell down the shaft. From Main body of report: A workman engaged at the pithead by mistake pushed a hutch into the open shaft, and fell to the bottom with it, a distance of 64 yards. | |
| 1881 | December | 6 | Clydesdale, Graveyard pit | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Archd. Russell | Robt. | Kennedy | Collier | -- | Falls of roof | At face, splint coal. Stoop and room | |
| 1881 | December | 8 | Bankend | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | Philip | McLachlen | Sinker | 24 | Miscellaneous underground | Whilst unramming a shot. Injured on the 1st; died on the 8th From Main body of report: Was the result of a direct violation of the 8th General rule, which provides that a charge of powder which has missed fire “shall not be unrammed.” The deceased and his neighbour were sinkers, and had prepared three shot holes in the ordinary way; in attempting to blast them, from some cause one failed to explode, and it was whilst they were in the act of unramming it that it exploded. They were both severely injured; the deceased survived for 8 days, and his neighbour, who was also the contractor, though living, has lost both hands and the sight of one eye. | |
| 1881 | December | 12 | Tillicoultry, Drummie mine | Tillicoultry, Clackmannan | Alloa Coal Co | Charles | Harrower | Brusher | 33 | Falls of roof | While putting in building at face; long wall | |
| 1881 | December | 14 | Quarter No 7 | Hamilton, Lanark | Colin Dunlop & Co. | Jas. | Prentice | Collier | 40 | In shafts – overwinding | The deceased and other three men were ascending the pit. The engineman did not stop the cage until it was about eight feet above the landing, and deceased, apparently alarmed, jumped on to the roof of the shed, which sloped towards the shaft, and he slid off into the shaft. The other three men remained on the cage and sustained no injury. From Main body of report: I have marked under this head [In shafts] one case of overwinding, but it could scarcely be called overwinding. I allude to the accident at Quarter on the 14th December. The engineman appears to have neglected to attend to his indicator, and when the cage reached the surface it was going at such a speed that the deceased thought it was going up to the pulleys. In this he was mistaken, for the cage stopped about 8 feet above the usual landing place just as the deceased jumped off and fell into the shaft. The other men on the cage were not so much alarmed, or at all events they stuck to the cage and next minute were safely landed. The winding engine has two cylinders and a good break, and I have no doubt the engineman stopped his engine when going at the ordinary speed for men within 10 feet after he saw the cage appearing at the surface. | |
| 1881 | December | 15 | Glentore No 6 | New Monkland, Lanark | Glentore Coal Co | Joseph | Jenkins | Brusher | 45 | Falls of roof | In a new road being made through waste; long wall | |
| 1881 | December | 16 | Dennymill No 2 | Denny | R Addie and Son | Jas. | Penman | Roadsman | 33 | Falls of roof & sides | Fall of roof | |
| 1881 | December | 19 | Cleland Townhead No 5 | Bothwell, Lanark | P & R Wyper & Co | Thos. | Hostler | Drawer | 14 | Explosion of fire damp | This boy with a companion, out of curiosity, scrambled up a fall, where, unexpectedly, a little gas had accumulated | |
| 1881 | December | 23 | Royal George No 3 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | Adam | Dixon | Labourer | 36 | Miscellaneous on surface | He and six others were taking down a pithead-frame. They lost control of the crane, and deceased was struck by the handle. | |
| 1881 | December | 24 | Gartshore No 2 | Kilsyth | W Baird & Co | Francis | Halkett | Oversman | 30 | In shafts | Overwinding From Main body of report: The third [accident due to overwinding] occurred at the mine where the first took place [see Oct 28 1881] and the victim, strange to say, was the oversman referred to who unwarrantably worked the engine at the time of that occurrence. In this case the regular engineman was in attendance. The particulars are not very exact, but as far as is known, deceased, who was engaged on a night shift, had been to the surface, and afterwards requested to be lowered to a midworking. It is understood that after reaching the midworking, he signalled to be lowered to the bottom, but, through some momentary aberration or neglect on the part of the engineman, he was raised to the surface, and, I believe, against the pulley-wheel, from which he fell on to the plates at the pit-mouth, where he was found dead. In this case the engineman was charged with culpable homicide. A special plea of insanity was put in by his counsel and accepted by the Advocate Depute, and Lord Young ordered him to be kept in confinement during Her Majesty's pleasure. | Newspaper report - Stirling pages |
| 1881 | December | 25 | Thrashbush No 1 | New Monkland, Lanark | Robt. Marshall | Alex | Graham | Pumper | -- | In shafts – whilst ascending or descending by machinery | Supposed to have fallen off the cage while ascending. There was no one in the pit but himself at the time. | |
| 1881 | December | 27 | Greenhead No 6 | Cambusnethan, Lanark | Coltness Iron Co | Sam | Murray | Collier | 60 | Falls of roof | In a road being cut along a stoop side preparatory to stooping. Stoop and room | |
| 1881 | December | 28 | Blackrigg No 1 | Slamannan, Stirling | John Watson | David | Douglas | Collier | 29 | Falls of roof | While drawing the “gibs” from the coal the roof fell along with the coal; long wall | |
| 1881 | December | 29 | Bent No 1 | Hamilton, Lanark | Bent Colliery Co Ltd | Robt. | Brown | Collier | -- | Miscellaneous underground – by tubs and trams | Found dead below some tubs on endless rope haulage road. He had left the face unwell, and is supposed to have taken a fit | Newspaper report - Hamilton pages |