What is a 'Hotlighter'?

[vaison]

Hello,
I have discovered that my grandfather was a 'Hotlighter'. (I believe it may have something to do with mining, as in other sources he is given as a miner.
Please can anyone help?
Thanks

[gaffy]

It's shot lighter. 

Edited to add: Responsible for blasting - seems maybe to be a Lancashire term?

[gaffy]

There are bits and pieces on the web if you google them.  "Shot firer" seems to be another term used in some places as well.

Knowing where to put a shot hole, plying it with the correct amount of explosive, then running  the cables off and detonating - can't help but say, sounds like a VERY dangerous and skilled / technical job.

Hopefully someone with experience / knowledge in the industry might provide more / better detail.

[Fide et Fortitudine]

Hi Vaison,

I agree with Gaffy, there's probably a squashed 's' in the handwriting you're looking at. 

A shot lighter is also called a shot firer = a person whose special duty is to fire shots or blasts, especially in coal mines. 
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Coal-Excise-Tax---Appendix-I,-Glossary-of-Mining-Terms#s

or...

A worker who fires explosives to fragment or loosen solid formations such as rock and earth, or to demolish masonry, in mining, civil engineering, construction, well blasting, etc.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---safework/documents/publication/wcms_190243.pdf

[stanmapstone]

From “A Dictionary of Occupational Terms”
Fireman, (shot lighter), fireman (blasting); blaster, shot firer, shot lighter, shotsman; fires shots in mine (after it has been examined for gas and found safe) where coal or stone is to be brought down by blasting; sets electric or time fuse;

Stan

[vaison]

Thanks to you all.  I will pursue the 'Shotlighter' line.