Lampkeeper

nounStandard termMining

The surface worker responsible for maintaining, issuing, and collecting miners' safety lamps.

A historic colliery worker who managed the lamp room at the surface of a coal mine. They were responsible for cleaning, fueling, inspecting, and locking safety lamps before each shift, ensuring no defective lamps went underground where they could trigger an explosion.

Heard on the job

Hand your brass tally to the lampkeeper when you return your lamp at the end of the shift.

Also heard as

  • lampman