R.
W. Cooke-Taylor, the author of The Factory System was also
an Inspector of Factories. In his book he explained the 1802 Factory
Act.
The first
Factory Act ever passed by the British Parliament was called "The
Factory Health and Morals Act, 1802" and applied principally,
though not exclusively, to apprentices in cotton and woollen mills.
The preamble runs as follows:
"Whereas
it hath of late become a practice in cotton and woollen mills, and
in cotton and woollen factories, to employ a great number of male
and female apprentices, and other persons, in the same building, in
consequence of which certain regulations are now necessary to preserve
the health and morals of such apprentices."
The regulations, briefly stated, were the following:
(1) The master or mistress of the factory must observe the law.
(2) All rooms in a factory are to be lime-washed twice a year and
duly ventilated.
(3) Every apprentice is to be supplied with two complete suits of
clothing with suitable linen, stockings, hats and shoes.
(4) The hours of work of apprentices are not to exceed twelve a day,
nor commence before six in the morning, nor conclude before nine at
night.
(5) They are to be instructed every working day during the first four
years of apprenticeship in reading, writing and arithmetic.
(6) Male and female apprentices are to be provided with separate sleeping
apartments, and not more than two to sleep in one bed.
(7) On Sunday they are to be instructed in the principles of the Christian
religion.
