Mexborough and Swinton Times May 17, 1929

Slipping Belt,

Wath Council Workman Killed by Mortar Mill.

“It Has Got Me.”

While in the act of putting resin on the belt of a mortar mill, when in motion in order to stop the belt from slipping, Alfred Calvert (76), of 28, Victoria Road, West Melton, on April 24th at Wath, was caught up and thrown on to a heap of sand in the Council’s yard, and he died of his injuries on Thursday, May 9th.

An inquest was held on Tuesday at the Town Hall, Wath, by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker and a jury, and a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. Mr. G. P. Barnett, Inspector of Factories, was present, with Mr. W. H. Roberts (Acting Clerk to the Council), and Mr. H. Cranage (surveyor).

Lily Gregory, a widow, and daughter of deceased, said her father was a Wath Urban District Council employee. She lived with him at 28, Victoria Road, West Melton. On April 24 he left home at 6-30 a.m. in good health.

About 9-30 a.m. he was brought home. He told witness he had had an accident, and since then he had been in bed and attended by Dr. Adam Johnston. He never blamed anyone for the accident, and died on May 9th.

George Henry Wood, of 21„Firth Road, West Melton, a labourer employed by the Wath U.D.C., said lie had known deceased only a few days. He remembered the accident It took place about 9 a.m. The first he knew about it was when he saw deceased fall on the floor near the mortar-mill. Witness ran to him, a distance of about eight yards. Deceased said to him, “Stop that engine.” Witness told him he did not know how to stop it because he was not used to it.” He said, “It has got me.” Deceased kept “groaning, so witness sent for assistance and George Johnson, a foreman, came and sent for a doctor. The engine was stopped. Deceased complained about his leg and he did not say how the accident occurred, but only “It has got me.” The belt of the engine had been slipping that morning. About five seconds before the accident witness had seen deceased putting resin on the belt while it was moving. Witness had not the slightest idea of what took place as he had not much experience with the mill.

George Johnson, foreman, said deceased had worked for the U.D.C. 28 years. When the accident happened witness was at the Town Hall, and when sent for he went and found deceased lying on a heap of sand. He arrived about ten minutes after the accident. Witness sent for a doctor and did his best for deceased until he came. Calvert told him that the belt caught deceased. Witness had been there before that morning, and two days before he was informed that the belt was slipping.

Witness had not seen resin put on the slipping belt, and he did not knew where deceased got resin from. In witness’s opinion and from what Calvert told him he thought deceased was caught by the belt and thrown on to the heap of sand

In reply to the Inspector of Factories, witness said the belt was about six feet from the mortar mill.

If he stood on the concrete base he could just reach the licit.

In reply to further questions, witness said he saw no blood, and there was no guard on the belt except on the striking gear.

Have you given deceased any instructions about the slipping belt I.—Yes, he was used to the machinery.

In reply to a juryman, witness said a paste preparation was used for the belt.

Dr. Adam Johnston said he attended deceased on April 24th for contusion and abrasion on the arm, for shock, and for fractured ribs. It was necessary to keep deceased in bed all the time and about four clays before death pneumonia developed. The injuries were due to the accident. Death was due to fracture of the ribs and pneumonia.

Wood, recalled, said he saw deceased standing reaching up when putting resin on the belt.

The Coroner said it seemed a simple case. The evidence was clear that the accident happened when deceased was putting resin on the belt, and that he was thrown on to the sand. No question had been raised by the Factories Inspector and the Coroner suggested that the jury bring in a verdict of Accidental death.”

The jury agreed, and Mr. Roberts, for the Council, that deceased was an old man who always wanted to work. He was an exceedingly conscientious man and the Council greatly regretted his death.