KINETICS

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 18th Year

Issue

Issue No.

5

Date Released

Jan 1965

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1HEAT SERVICE
2. 2KINETICS
3. 3SPACE SAVER
4. 4TOKYO GOLD

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: training in human kinetics.
NCB Commentary - In Derbyshire next to Grassmoor Pit appropriately enough, is a nice stretch of green grass - it was once a pit heap - part of the 18-acre site comprising the Grassmoor Training Centre.
This is physical training - with a difference and a purpose. These young miners are being taught how to use the strength of their bodies safely and efficiently. To this is added what is called Kinetic training.
Roy Grier, East Midlands Division head of Industrial Training meets Training Centre Manager Willis Renshaw - to them kinetics means a way of reducing injuries on the job.
In the Grassmoor gymnasium the boys learn the importance of keeping a straight back - lifting with the spine curved is dangerous. A proper grip is important too - an insecure hold makes muscles tense and you tire quickly.
The boys train with mining machinery. Correct positioning of the feet is vital. Keep you chin in. Gentle lifting of the head, with the chin tucked in, puts your spine in the right posture and makes lifting safer and easier. And here’s that grip again ... not just finger-tips, use the whole of your palm.
Underground - it’s easy to see the connection between what the boys learned in the gym with what they will one day have to do at the coal-face.
Now this is the wrong way to operate a valve. Here’s the right way. Use the weight of your body to help. And just as they were taught to climb a rope in the gym, the same muscular co-ordination is needed underground to operate a block and tackle.
It’s a question of learning early to work safely for the rest of their working lives, so that these boys will know in advance how to keep out of trouble.

Keywords

Science and technology; Physical fitness and training; Youth

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit