Confined Labor in the Tunnels

Excavation workers, called “sandhogs,” faced many dangers working in a confined space.  More

Excavation for the Pennsylvania Railroad's tunnel project was done by hand labor, with workers typically using a spade or pneumatic hammer. Excavation workers, called “sandhogs,” faced many dangers working in a confined space. Equipment was constantly moving in and out along with muck carts full of tons of mud and rock—and there was nowhere to run if things went awry.

AIR DATE 2/18/14