Victorian factories were dangerous places to work, especially for children. Workers breathed in soot, smoke and dust from machines. Children as young as 5 years old worked in cotton mills and coal mines because they were cheap labor and could crawl under machinery. It was not until laws were passed in the 1840s-1870s that child labor was regulated, banning children under 10 from working underground or for over 10 hours per day in an effort to improve dangerous working conditions.

1. Victorian Factories.

2. What were Victorian Factories like? Factory workers had to breathe in soot , smoke and dust from the machines. Machines did many types of jobs including spinning. Britain was the first country in the world to have lots of factories

3. What were Cotton mills? Cotton mills were factories where cotton was spun in to thread. Mill workers lived in small houses close to factories.

4. why was factory work dangerous? .factory owners employed children because they were cheap , did not complain , had nimble fingers and could crawl under machines. .At first , there were no laws to protect children. Danger!

5. New laws 1841 Mines Act - No child under the age of 10 to work underground in a coal mine. 1847 Ten Hour Act - No child to work more than 10 hours in a day. 1874 Factory Act - No child under the age of 10 to be employed in a factory.

6. By Jack and Jacob.