Studies of the Scottish oil shale industry

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7203580· OSTI ID:7203580

Randall, S. C.

An oral history of life in the first half of the twentieth century in the shale mining communities of Mid and West Lothian, Scotland provided background information needed for a mortality study of these communities where the Scottish shale oil industry was located until 1963. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews with 41 old people provide a detailed socio-historical picture of life in an area dominated by this industry. Much of the information is presented using quotations from the interviews. Housing conditions and perceptions of pollution are described. Details of working conditions, jobs and wages, focussing in particular on the shale industry, suggest that until the early 1920s shale workers were financially well off compared with workers elsewhere. Comparative wage levels then deteriorated until 1939. Women's activities, roles, domestic and work positions indicate that although women had little exposure to industrial hazards in the workplace, their standard of living was very low and they had to work extremely hard. Health and health care, diet, smoking and drinking habits, leisure and migrations are other factors which could affect morality patterns. Comparisons with contemporary studies are discussed. 33 refs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh (UK)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-84ER60199
• OSTI ID: 7203580
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/60199-1-Vol.1; ON: DE90009160
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040700* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Health & Safety
040800 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
COMMUNITIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EUROPE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MINING
MORTALITY
OIL SHALE INDUSTRY
OIL SHALE MINING
POLLUTION
PROGRESS REPORT
QUALITY OF LIFE
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
UNITED KINGDOM
WESTERN EUROPE