Considering its current definition (see below) and the wish to be politically correct, I wonder whether the word has come to acquire any racist overtone.
What is a coal miner hewer-Ask.com. Coal miner hewer is a person who hews or cuts the coal from its natural situation. The hewer is the actual coal-digger removing it from the coal face.
A curmudgeon with years of practice. Coal ash is the residue from burning coal and contains all of the nonvolatile components of he coal (carbon compounds, sulfur and some metals). The ash is made up of silicates, metals (including toxic metals like mercury and uranium) and some unburnt carbon.