1

In 1935, over 6000 people lived and worked on Bell Island. A miner's job was a dangerous one and accidents occurred on a regular basis. In the early 1900s the high number of accidents occurring in the mines could be correlated directly to the lack of safety regulations in place. In 1906 the "Regulation of Mines Act" was introduced which was responsible for the appointment of inspectors and investigators.

2

Miners working
1930
Bell Island Ore Mines, Bell Island, Newfoundland, Canada

3

In 1924, a safety committee looked into the type of accidents that took place in the mines and they found that the most common type of accident happened through the carelessness of the injured party. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, the patient was either treated on the island or transported by boat to the larger centres in St. John's.

4

Bell Island Ferry
1985
Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, Canada

5

During the summer months it was easy to get people across the tickle by boat but the winter months caused many headaches among the residents and mining company on Bell Island.
It was not uncommon for the waters surrounding the island to freeze up, making a ferry crossing impossible. Without their own hospital, severely ill or injured patients stranded by the ice were not able to receive treatment in a timely fashion.

6

Bell Island
14 March 2006
Bell Island, Newfoundland, Canada

7

The number of women and children on the island also hit a peak when the mines started production. Between the 1940s and 50s, 60% of the population was under the age of 20. Stable income from the mines allowed many young couples to start families on the island which again increased the need for a permanent medical facility in the area. Women often gave birth on the island with the help of a midwife, but if complications arose and the mother or child was in need of serious medical attention a trip across to St. John's had to be arranged.