timberman

A timberman is a skilled underground worker responsible for installing, maintaining, and replacing wooden support structures in active mines. The work is structural and often urgent: the timbers hold back rock and prevent collapse in tunnels and stopes, so the timberman works to tight tolerances and safety margins, frequently in poor light and confined spaces.

The timberman selects timbers by grade and diameter, typically softwoods like pine or spruce cut to length on site. He positions props, cribbing, and lagging (the horizontal boards spanning between props) to support the roof and walls. In hard rock mines, props are often set vertically under tension; in coal mines, a timberman may build elaborate wooden crib structures several layers deep to hold the overburden. The work demands judgment: timber sizing depends on the weight of rock above, the rock quality, and the span being bridged.

Wear and failure are constant realities. Timber rots from moisture and ground pressure, and deteriorating timbers are a leading cause of accidents in underground work. A timberman must regularly inspect his installations, identify soft or compressed wood, and replace compromised sections before failure. In some operations, the timberman also installs steel props and mesh, blurring the line between timber specialist and general support worker.

The term reflects the era when timber was the primary roof support material in most mines. Even in modern mines that favor steel or concrete arches, timbermen remain common in temporary workings and in older underground operations. The role requires physical strength, spatial reasoning, and familiarity with the particular geology and mine layout; experienced timbermen often work independently with minimal supervision.