By State Chancellery Saarland
Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Life and limb
From the very outset, there were manifold risks involved in mining which markedly increased with the introduction of deep mining. Water ingress, underground fire, cable breakage, mine collapse and above all the dreaded firedamp and coal dust explosions are part thereof; it was above all due to the latter that many miners lost their lives. The employee insurance schemes initiated by Bismarck and constantly further developed since that time made a decisive contribution to safeguarding the miners and their survivors. Since then, improvement in technology alone has no longer occupied a forefront position in mining risk prevention, but also development of preventive measures such as occupational and health protection.
Plasma donation for injured comrades at the Knappschaftskrankenhaus (literally: "Miners' association hospital") Fischbach, 1949 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
X-ray carriage of the "Arbeitsmedizinische Ambulanz" at the Knappschaft Saarbrücken, January 1957 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
The challenge trophy for mine safety was awarded to the Ensdorf pit in 1966. by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Inside of the X-ray carriage of the "Arbeitsmedizinische Ambulanz", January 1957 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Shift tokens ("Fahrmarken") of various mines Shift tokens ("Fahrmarken") of various mines by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Protective equipment of the Warndt pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Knee protectors made of leather by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miner's apron ("Arschleder") by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miner at work by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miner, take care! by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Self-rescuer (breathing apparatus) by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Filter self-rescuer Dräger 810 by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
CO-filter self-rescuer Auer 95 by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Birdcage by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Birdcage by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Dräger gas detector Dräger gas detector by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Methane gas measuring unit 0-50 percent by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Air measuring unit by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Dräger gas detector by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Methane gas meter by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Oxygen indicator by Bergmannsverein Fischbach-Camphausen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Ventilation engineer at work by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
"Wettersteiger" of the Velsen pit "Wettersteiger" of the Velsen pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Poster series for accident prevention Poster series for accident prevention by Landesarchiv Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Dräger respirator Dräger respirator by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Dräger BG 4 breathing apparatus by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Sticker of the Saar mine rescue brigade ("Saargrubenwehr") by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Training of mine rescue brigades in Maybach by Landesarchiv Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Fully geared member of mine rescue brigade prior to deployment by Heimatmuseum Quierschied and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Mine rescue worker while extinguishing a fire by Heimatmuseum Quierschied and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Test card of RAG "Gruben und Gasschutzwehr" ("mine rescue and gas protection brigade") by Jens Stoewesand, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Pulmotor by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Sound level meter by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Case with six air samples Case with six air samples by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Four bottles from a first aid station ("Verbandsstube") by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Orders for emergency personnel by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Emergency helpers' booklet ("Nothelferbuch") by Gunter Altenkirch, Gersheim-Rubenheim and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Emergency helpers' pass from Warndt pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
French miner's helmet French miner's helmet by Historisches Museum Saar and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
German miner's helmet by Historisches Museum Saar and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Safety helmet made of leather by Steffi Groß-Hanke, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Protective helmet Protective helmet by Gunter Altenkirch, Gersheim-Rubenheim and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Mirror with "warning" by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Firedamp explosions by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Schlagwetterexplosionen 1970er bis 1990er JahreState Chancellery Saarland
The firedamp explosions shown in the film sequences are testing demolitions performed to examine this danger. These are gas and coal dust explosions as well as water trough explosions. The demolition of a ventilation structure is also shown. Such tests also helped to significantly improve safety provisions and installations underground in the last couple of decades.
Members of the mine fire brigade carrying the coffin of a fatality of the Luisenthal catastrophe at the central memorial service on 10 February 1962. by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Memorial for the victims of the Maybach pit firedamp catastrophe, 1930 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Fictional representation of a fire damp explosion as shown in the "Le petit parisien" magazine in 1907 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Memorial stone for the victims of the firedamp explosion of the Reden pit in 1907 in Schiffweiler by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
BILD tabloid: Catastrophe in the Saar region by Deutsches Zeitungsmuseum, Wadgassen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Pit catastrophe in Völklingen Pit catastrophe in Völklingen by Deutsches Zeitungsmuseum, Wadgassen and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Saarbrücker Zeitung 08., 09., 10., 12/02/1962 Saarbrücker Zeitung 08., 09., 10., 12/02/1962 by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
"Ein jeder ist dein Nä̈chster" by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Mining exhibition at St. Lukas pharmacy by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Memorial service for Luisenthal disaster by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Magazine "Schacht und Heim", 8th year, issue 3, March 1962 Magazine "Schacht und Heim", 8th year, issue 3, March 1962 by Rüdiger Ankele, Merten (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Song text "Oh Luisenthal" – a song about the pit disaster, 1962 Song text "Oh Luisenthal" – a song about the pit disaster, 1962 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Luisenthal memorial service by Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Memorial sheet of the Camphausen pit disaster in 1886 by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Pocket watch by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
"Bergmannskind" postcard, 1909 "Bergmannskind" postcard, 1909 by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Information signs Information signs by Industriekultur Saar GmbH, Göttelborn and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Information sign on conveyor cage Information sign on conveyor cage by Guido Wolff, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Dahlbusch bomb by Carreau Wendel, Petite-Rosselle (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Mine rescue brigade suit with respirator by Saarländisches Bergbaumuseum Bexbach and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Monument
There have no longer been any deaths in Saarland coal mining since 2004 owing to high safety standards, yet the memory of mining as one of the most dangerous professions in Western industrial society remains. The number of people in mining injured while performing their work indeed lies well above the cumulative victims of the major accidents. So taking account of the „everyday“ accidents, between 7.500 and 10.000 individuals must have lost their lives since State mining around the Saar began, above all men, but also a few women. The monument to the dead miners cannot lay claim to completeness. This is why the victims of mining who are unknown by name should also be honoured representatively at this point.
Memorial for the victims of the 28 January 1907 coal dust explosion by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Memorial for the victims of the 20 October 1864 Reden pit firedamp explosion by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Long farewell
As early as during the 1950‘s, the first Saarland pits had to close and work stoppages had to be introduced owing to market difficulties. The oil crisis during the 1970‘s appeared to herald a renaissance of coal; in addition, large coal-fired power plants such as that in Ensdorf and the subsidies from the „coal penny“ introduced in 1974 were to help to stabilise the situation. Yet since the structural crises of the 1980‘s at the latest, which resulted in regularly held „coal round negotiations“ (Federal government, coal states, employers and trade unions), the end of mining around the Saar was predictable for many. In 1997, the collective redundancies in the highly subsidised mining industry culminated in massive protests and the Saar mines were sold to the RAG for a symbolic D Mark. The end of Saarland mining, initially scheduled for 2018, was brought forward to 30th June 2012 owing to subsidence-related earthquakes.
The Camphausen pit, early 1960s by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Construction of the Weiher powerplant in July 1963 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Ban on Sunday driving during the first oil crisis in November of 1973 – photo taken at the Goldene Bremm border crossing near Saarbrücken by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Coal lab with testing facility for coal refinement and gasometer on the premises of the Heinitz pit closed down in 1962; photo taken during demolition works, 11 February 1967 by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Glück auf! – Youth and Saar mining by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Glück Auf! – Jugend im SaarbergbauState Chancellery Saarland
This educational film was used to recruit new miners. It showed the everyday work of a miner with inviting images and underscored by cheerful music. Beginning with the shared ride to work inside the bus of the Saarberg AG, the various working activities inside the mine itself and continuing to joint holiday camps in European countries - this film showed all aspects of a miner's professional life and was designed to invite young people to become a part of this community.
Look into a washroom ("Waschkaue") by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Beverage vending machine Beverage vending machine by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners' portraits 1, 2, 5 Miners' portraits 1, 2, 5 by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
"To all Saar miners with sons" by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Welcome address by Hubertus Rolshoven by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Company library of the Velsen pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Monthly pass for the bus by Delf Slotta, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Ticket by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Youth working at the sorting conveyor by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners underground after a successful breakthrough by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Change of shift Change of shift by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners inside a face by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners of Velsen pit by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Migrant workers from Turkey in Maybach by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Opening of the canteen by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Football match between pit teams by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Shaft expansion underground Shaft expansion underground by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
"Halbschicht" by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Breakthrough by French miners by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Shaft sinking by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miners of the Reden pit by RAG Bildarchiv, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Strike poster by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Protest poster of the IGBE by Horst Schmadel, Seingbouse (F) and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Protests in Saarbrücken Protests in Saarbrücken by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Protests in Volklingen by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
St. Blasius church in Saarwellingen St. Blasius church in Saarwellingen by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Leaflets by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Leaflets by Landesbildstelle Saarland im LPM and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Like our own funeral by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Saarbrücker Kohlehafen mit Burbacher Hü̈tte ("Saarbrücken coal port with Burbach steelworks") by Delf Slotta, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Miner's shower by Becker & Bredel, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Box of miner's tools by RAG, Saarbrücken and Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
Carreau Wendel workshop wagon by Staatskanzlei des Saarlandes Open GalleryState Chancellery Saarland
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