Negative Effects

Drownings, suffocation from gasses, and explosions were frequent in coal mines. The candles they used to see could spark explosive marsh gas.

Miners had to crawl through underground passages that were as low as 16-18 inches high, while pulling coal carts for miles along tunnels.

Coal miners were also at risk for lung diseases, since they were in the mines for so long, breathing in the dust from the coal as they worked.