A historic mining occupation for the person working at the shaft collar or heapstead. They received the hoisted buckets or skips of ore, emptied them, and managed the loading of materials and personnel going down into the mine.
Heard on the job
The lander signaled the hoistman to hold the cage steady while we unloaded the drill steel.
Also heard as
- banksman
Related terms
Onsetter
The worker stationed at the bottom of a mine shaft who loads and unloads the hoisting cage.
Cager
The worker who controls loading and unloading at a shaft landing.
Hoistman
The operator responsible for running the winding engine that raises and lowers cages in a mine shaft.
Collar
The reinforced surface opening of a mine shaft or drill hole.