They might have thought they had not left the mines. Working at CCI was rugged: Coal dust was used for tire grip in the winter snow, resin dust glittered in the sunlight coming through worn windows, and the first crew often dressed inside for winter temperatures.
The workers at CCI may have believed they were still underground despite being outside. The work environment was tough: coal dust was used for tire grip in snowy winters, resin dust shimmered in sunlight filtering through aged windows, and the initial crew often wore their clothes inside to stay warm during winter.