1833 Factory Act

In 1833 the Government passed a Factory Act to improve conditions for children working in factories. The basic act was as follows:

• No child workers under 9 years of age • Employers must have an age certificate for child workers • Children of 9-13 years to work no more than 9 hours /day • Children of 13-18 years to work no more than 12 hours/day • Children are not to work at night • Two hours of schooling each day for children • Four factory inspectors appointed to enforce the law WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Factory Inspector's Report (1836)

-BOYS INTERVIEWED FROM FACTORY -29 HOURS-33 HOURS -The part of the factory act that states that children can not work more than 12 hours a day at the most, the part that children can't work at night, and that two hours of schooling should be given to each child. -The factory inspectors were appalled and disgusted by the firm Taylor, Ibbotson & Co. They could not believe so many rules were being broken and that the children were put in such cruel conditions. -It started the conversation of better work conditions and helped the general public to know that cruel working conditions were wrong, however it did not stop factory owners from breaking the laws anyway. THIS IS A STEP BUT PPL STILL BREAK IT

Document detailing which companies broke the law

-Employing young people after hours 6 ON WEEKDAYS AND 2 ON SATURDAYS -1 POUND FOR EMPLOYING SOMEONE AFTER HOURS FINED MORE (3) IF NO SURGICAL CERTIFICATE (HEALTH CERTIFICATE) -GOES UP BASED ON AMOUNT OF CHILDREN -no surgical certificates were most serious -MOST OF CASES WERE WITHDRAWN SO PPL DON'T HAVE lONG TERM PENALTIES SO JUST PAYING AND MOVING OUT AND MAY NOT FIX SITUATION -PROPAGANDA IN 2ND IMAGE BC FROM FACTORY OWNERS (BREAK, DON NEED TO BEND OVER, MUCH SPACE, PPL IN CHARGE TO SEE IF SAFE)

Photograph of workers in a factory in 1903

-Textile factory with 10 year old boy Heavy machines CLOSE TOGETHER Gears and spinning parts are open Hair and clothing could get caught Tight spacing - not a lot of room for air Pulley system - can get pulled into machines Exposed skin CRAMPED -It looks like conditions are improved from before the Factory Act, however, they are far from perfect. It seems like an older person is watching the younger child (shows adult supervision). Looks like he is there during daylight. No apparent injuries, but many possible dangers and underlying issues.