Safety and Rescue
From 1870 onwards shafts with depths of over 2,000 feet become common. The deepest shaft of 3,750ft in Western Europe was recorded in Wolstanton colliery in North Staffordshire.
These advances were due to the improvements in the mining support systems. The invention of the steam engine brought the biggest change and improvement to these systems. It drove the drainage pumps, winding gear, ventilation fans and haulage equipment.
These developments not only helped increase the output of coal, but also improved the health and safety of the miners.
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