Manwinding is the vertical transportation of miners in a shaft. Because human lives are suspended on a wire rope, manwinding operations require a higher safety standard than hoisting ore or materials. The hoisting equipment must engage secondary brakes, strict speed constraints, and distinct bell signals before the winder operator is legally permitted to move the cage with people inside.
The shaft is strictly on manwinding rules until the entire maintenance crew is back on the surface.
Related terms
Manriding
The authorized transport of personnel through underground mine workings using vehicles or conveyors.
Cage
The primary elevator car used in vertical mine shafts.
Hoistman
The operator responsible for running the winding engine that raises and lowers cages in a mine shaft.
Winder
A heavy-duty winch or engine used to raise and lower cages and skips in a mine shaft.