Euro History - "The Industrial Revolution"

1838, 1839, 1840 - Ten Hour Bills

What did it do? - Attempt to limit working for older children to 10 hours. Impact - Failed to get approval.

1833 - Royal Commission on Factory Reform

What did it do? - Investigate working conditions in mills and factories. Impact - Led to Factory Act of 1833.

1813 - Owen's campaign to protect factory children

What did it do? - Led to establishment of a Select Committee. Impact - N/A

1844 - Factory Act

What did it do? - Minimum working age in textile mills reduced to age 8. All children can work no more than 6.5 hours per day. Young persons, 13-18, and women to work no more than 12 hours per day. Impact - More inspectors appointed. Safety rules to fence off dangerous machines.

1842 - Mines Act

What did it do? - No children under 10 or women to work underground in the coal mine. Impact - Inspection of mines started.

1833 - Factory Act

What did it do? - No children under 9 to be employed. Children 9-13 to work no more than 48 hours per week. Those aged 13-18 no more than 69 hours per week. Impact - Inspector system begun and applied to textile mills.

1819 - Cotton Mills and Factories Act

What did it do? - No children under 9 to work in cotton mills. Working hours of ages 9-16 limited to 12 hours per day. Impact - Difficult to enforce.

1831 - Act to reduce hours forbade nightwork

What did it do? - No night working if under 21. Impact - Limited to cotton mills.

1802 - Health and Morals of Apprentices Act

What did it do? - No pauper apprentice to do night work in textile mills. Labour during the day to 12 hours. Impact - Not very effective as no system of inspection and penalties not enforced.

1847 - Factory Act

What did it do? - Work of women and young persons, 13-18, limited to 10 hours per day in textile factories. Impact - Long hours continue for men. Women and young persons now to work in shifts.