Collier

Description

In the context of the coalfields of England and Wales, a collier was a man who worked underground mining coal. The work was extraordinarily dangerous, with constant risks from roof falls, flooding, explosion and lung disease. Colliers worked long shifts in cramped conditions and were often paid by the amount of coal they produced. Mining communities were tight-knit and distinctive in their customs and culture. In woodland areas the same term was used for charcoal burners, so the location in the record is important when interpreting this occupation.