Noun
(mining, historical) A person employed to examine the state of the mine workings, to check that they are properly ventilated, and sometimes to build pillars to support the roof in the waste.
(MLE, MTE, derogatory) A loser, bum, degenerate; someone who wastes their life in some manner.
He said he cared for me but he just used me for my money. I'm done with that wasteman.
Tommy says he's a NEET at 30 who never worked a day in his life and loves it; a total wasteman if I ever saw one.