colliery in morpeth in 1939

[stanmapstone]

There is a useful glossary of occupations here http://www.dmm.org.uk/educate/mineocc.htm#h

For modern mining occupations see http://www.dmm.org.uk/educate/mineocc0.htm
Ripper   
Enlarging roadways and/or airways by taking top and/or bottom caunches; boring shotholes for bringing down roof or blowing floor; trimming of roof and sides, clearing rubbish and erecting roof supports.
Stan