What tools or equipment did Breaker Boys use?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Breaker Boy
Breaker Boys primarily used hand tools such as picks, shovels, and hammers to break coal from larger chunks into smaller pieces. They also operated machinery like coal breakers and screens to separate coal from impurities. Safety equipment was minimal, often limited to basic protective gear, as the working conditions were hazardous and poorly regulated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.