0 the surface from which coal is cut
1 the surface in a mine from which coal is cut
2 doing the work involved in a job, in real working conditions, rather than planning or talking about it:
Those at the coalface of the business may occasionally lose patience with management theories and abstractions.
It was cool, but not cold, and the wind smelled more strongly of coalface than ever.
He combines his work experience at the coalface with empirical research to provide an engaging and lively debate about the politics, policies and practices of youth crime prevention.
Women and children are worst affected by poverty, but women are the ones at the coalface who can truly make the difference.
The health and safety of those who work at the coalface of construction should always be remembered and it is important to have acknowledgement of this in the report.
Perhaps that is not very much to us, but it represents a veritable fortune for those involved at the coalface, enabling them to undertake specific projects.
We have mechanised coalfaces from beginning to end.
One of the encouraging factors is the high productivity at many of the coalfaces.
Pit inspectors were appointed checking all the roadways, coalfaces and electrical equipment and testing for gas.
