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1864

In James Edwards' capacity as magistrate, a very serious case arose from the deaths of five miners in a colliery explosion near Hanley. The owners, accused of not providing adequate ventilation, claimed the men had been supplied with the materials to make the shaft safe, but failed to do so.

After what are described as “several pointed questions by Mr Edwards” it emerged that no one could recall anyone being sent down to inspect the pit before the men started work.

The owners called further witnesses to repeat the claim that had the men done their duty by attending to the safety work themselves, the accident would not have happened.

Again James pressed the question “How many times have you known a man go down to examine before the men went to work?”

Again – no recollection.

What is revealing of James Edwards here is his persistence, his insistence on proper procedure, and his sense of the duties incumbent upon an employer in a dangerous industry. He seems outraged as much by their carelessness as by their irresponsibility.

If he had no time for a sloppy workman – he had even less for a sloppy employer.

 

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