In terms of underground mining, all roles, despite their position, are essential to ensuring that activities carried out under the earth’s surface are both efficiently and safely conducted. One of the basic roles within this structure is that of a nipper, which is essentially an entry-level position within the mining industry.
The nipper is essentially a general assistant within the underground mining industry, representing the junior-most position within a given crew. The term “nipper” has historical roots within early industrial labor, wherein young assistants would “nip,” or quickly retrieve items, on behalf of more senior workers within the crew. The position has evolved significantly within contemporary underground mining, with the essential goal being to assist and support the crew in both a safe and efficient manner.
The responsibilities of a nipper are varied but essentially encompass the act of transporting tools, equipment, and supplies to workers within the actual mining face—the area within the mine that is actively involved in rock extraction. The nipper assists various workers, such as boilermakers, electricians, and miners, in procuring tools, cleaning work sites, and removing waste rock or debris. The nipper is also involved in the maintenance of underground roads as well as basic tasks such as bolting, scaling loose rock under supervision, as well as operating machinery. The nipper is also required to observe and learn, thereby obtaining safety procedures, techniques, and procedures from more senior workers within the crew.
The function of a nipper is not limited to labor but is rather a form of apprenticeship. Through close association with experienced miners, a nipper is able to develop the awareness and skills necessary to advance to more skilled occupations. The underground mine is a dangerous work environment, but through close association with this environment, a nipper is able to gain firsthand experience in managing emergencies and operating in a controlled manner. Without the services of nippers to facilitate workflow and organization, the entire crew’s productivity is compromised.
The majority of experienced underground miners started as nippers. The function of a nipper is significant in character building, physical hardening, and the experiential understanding of life underground, thereby representing one of the most significant ways to enter the industry.
