The Factory Act
Many of the early factories during the industrial revolution dealt with textiles. These factories were usually powered by steam or water. The working conditions in these factories were horrible and unsanitary. Young children would often work extremely long hours without sufficient breaks. Due to the inhumane conditions in the factories, the Factory Act was passed to aid children. Although this act did help better the conditions, there were always violators and violations. Additionally, the Act only applied to textile factories (excluding those working with silk and lace). Due to this, there were several other industries that were exempt from the clauses of the Act. Another fact to keep in mind is that the Factory Act can be seen as the beginning in a long series of events. This Act was followed by several more that worked to continually improve conditions and reduce the chances of violations. Preceding this Factory Act was the first one, passed in 1802, called the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act . This attempted to improve working conditions for children by transferring children (or apprentices) from the authority of the mangers of pauper institutions' to the cotton mill owners. The Act, however, did not ensure their safety or deal with the working conditions in these woolen mills.
The second Factory Act, passed in 1833, included several clauses hoping to improve working conditions and benefits the younger workers in factories. It basically said
Children under the age of 18 couldn't work between the hours of 8:30 PM and 5:30 Am in factories using machinery,
Nobody under the age of 18 could work more than 12 hours a day or 69 hours a week
All these children were to receive at least 1.5 meals a day
The children (except in silk/lace factories) had to be at least 9 years old to work in these factories
After six months of the passing of the act -
Children under 11 years could not work more than 48 hour weeks and 9 hour days
After 18 months of the passing of the act
Children under 12 years could not work more than 48 hour weeks and 9 hour days
After 30 months of the passing of the act -
Children under 13 years could not work more than 48 hour weeks and 9 hour days
Children under 13 years of age needed a medical certificate of approval, after which they could work 10 hour days in the silk industry
All children were to get Christmas and Good Friday off
In addition to the above mentioned holidays, they were all to get 8 half days a year
Children between 9 and 13 couldn't work more than 9 hours a day
Children between 13 and 18 couldn't work more than 12 hours a day
Four factory inspectors were appointed to enforce the law throughout the nation
In 1844, another act was passed, reducing the work days to 6.5 hours for 8-13 year olds. Working hours were also reduced to women to 12 hour work days in addition to eliminating working at night.
Later on, in 1847, an act was passed stating that women and children under 18 could not work for more than 10 hours a day.
The previous acts dealt only with the textile industries, however in 1867 an act was passed enforcing all the previous rules in workhouses (justified by 5 or more employees) in all industries.
In 1907, another law was passed for all industries stating that the minimum age of workers must be 12 years.
An excerpt from The Factory Act of 1833 (http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~jobrien/reference/ob67.html)
. . . Be it enacted that no person under eighteen years of age shall be allowed to work in the night-- that is to say, between the hours half-past eight o'clock in the evening and half-past five in the morning--in or about any cotton, woolen, worsted, hemp, flax, tow, linen, or silk mill or factory, wherein steam or water or any other mechanical power is or shall be used to propel or work the machinery . . .
And be it further enacted that no person under the age of eighteen years shall be employed in any such mill or factory more than twelve hours in any one day, nor more than sixty-nine hours in any one week. . . . And be it further enacted that there shall be allowed in the course of every day not less than one and a half hours for meals to every such person . . .
And be it enacted that it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever to employ in any factory or mill as aforesaid, except in mills for the manufacture of silk, any child who shall not have completed his or her ninth year of age.
And be it further enacted that, from and after the expiration of six months after the passing of this act, it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever to employ, keep, or allow to remain in any factory or mill as aforesaid for a longer time than forty-eight hours in any one week, nor for a longer time than nine hours in any one day any child who shall not have completed his or her eleventh year of age; or, after the expiration of eighteen months from the passing of this act, any child who shall not have completed his or her twelfth year of age; or, after the expiration of thirty months from the passing of this act, any child who shall not have completed his or her thirteenth year of age. Provided, nevertheless, that, in mills for the manufacture of silk, children under the age of thirteen years [after a medical certificate of approval] shall be allowed to work ten hours in any one day."
And be it further enacted that all children and young persons whose hours of work are regulated and limited by this act shall be entitled to the following holidays, viz.: on Christmas Day and Good Friday, the entire day; and not fewer than eight half-days besides in every year. . . .
And be it . . enacted that it shall be lawful . . to appoint during his majesty's pleasure four persons to be inspectors of factories and places where the labor of children and young persons under eighteen years of age is employed . . . ;. . . And such inspectors or any of them are hereby empowered to enter any factory or mill, and any school attached or belonging thereto at all times and seasons, by day or by night, when such mills or factories are at work; and, having so entered, to examine therein the children and any other person or persons employed therein, and to make inquiry respecting their condition, employment, and education. . . .
And be it further enacted that every child hereinbefore restricted to the performance of forty-eight hours of labor in any one week shall, so long as such child shall be within the said restricted age, attend some school. . . .
And be it further enacted that every inspector shall keep full minutes of all his visits and proceedings, and shall report the same to one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state twice in every year, and oftener if required. . .
Source
"The Factory Act, 1833." Obee's History Page . 6 May 2006
<http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~jobrien/reference/ob67.html>