A general laborer who performs secondary tasks in an underground mine rather than directly cutting the ore. These workers handle maintenance, clearing debris, moving supplies, and supporting the primary miners at the working face.
Heard on the job
Send a bye-workman down to level four to clear that broken timber out of the drift.
Related terms
Wasteman
A historic colliery worker tasked with inspecting and maintaining the abandoned areas of a mine.
Stoneman
A specialized miner tasked with excavating through hard rock rather than the coal seam.
Shifter
A mine worker responsible for repairing haulage roads, clearing debris, and maintaining ventilation pathways.