The person in charge of operations at the underground shaft station. They are responsible for pushing full mine cars onto the cage, pulling empty ones off, and signaling the hoistman on the surface when it is safe to move the conveyance.
Heard on the job
Tell the onsetter to hold the cage at the bottom level, we have injured men coming outbye.
Also heard as
- bottomer
- cager
Do not mix it up with
- Lander: The onsetter works at the bottom of the shaft, while the lander works at the top surface station.
Related terms
Lander
A surface worker stationed at the top of a mine shaft to receive hoisted ore and materials.
Hoistman
The operator responsible for running the winding engine that raises and lowers cages in a mine shaft.
Cage
The primary elevator car used in vertical mine shafts.
Station
A widened area in a mine shaft or drift built to handle personnel, equipment, or infrastructure.