A barrowman is a historic mining occupation denoting a laborer who manually pushes or pulls wheeled tubs of coal or ore from the working face to a central haulage point. They transport the heavy loads along temporary rails or flat floors so the material can be hoisted to the surface.
Heard on the job
The barrowman needs a clear track to get the next load of coal out before the shift ends.
Also heard as
- putter
- hurrier
Related terms
Putter
A historic mine worker who pushed loaded coal tubs from the face to the main haulage road.
Hurrier
A historic occupation for a person who dragged tubs of coal from the working face to the shaft.
Drawer
A mineworker whose job was to manually push or drag loaded coal tubs from the face to the main haulageway.
Wagoner
A traditional worker who pushed or drove loaded mine cars from the face to the shaft.