Question

Industrial Revolution Child Labor Law DBQ

For this assignment you are a member of a federal team investigating the working conditions of children in 1908. Review the photographs and summaries of the different working conditions and fill out the report forms below with examples and details from the pictures and summaries. You need to complete reports for all three jobs that children had during the Industrial Revolution. Then you will be writing a child labor law to protect the children during the Industrial Revolution.

All answers to questions for the report forms should be answered in full sentences. The Child Labor Law at the end of the DBQ should be a full paragraph (At least 7 Sentences)
Document 1: Textile Mill Workers


Girls worked as spinners watching the spools form breaks in the thread. A spinner tended six or eight “sides,” As the long rows of spindles were called. She had to be on her feet nearly all the time, working eleven to twelve hours a day, six days a week. Hine described one spinner as “an emaciated little elf 50 inches high and weighing perhaps 48 pounds who works from 6 at night til 6 in the morning and who is so tiny that she had to climb up on the spinning frame to reach the top row of spindles.
Boys began working as doffers when they were seven or younger. It was their job to remove the whirling bobbins when they were filled with threads and replace them with empty ones. Many of the youngsters worked barefoot because it was easier to climb on the equipment. Hine reported, “A twelve-year-old doffer boy fell into a spinning machine and the unprotected gearing tore out two of his fingers. We don’t have any accidents in this mill, the overseer told me. Once in a while a finger is mashed or a foot, but it doesn’t amount to anything.”
Investigative Report for Textile Workers (5 Point)

1: Is the work area safe? What dangers do you see?

2: Would you recommend that workers wear protective clothing? What would you recommend?

3: Would you recommend any changes to the work environment to make it safe? What changes do you think need to be made?

4: What age recommendations would you give for this job? What is an appropriate age to be doing this work?

5: What injuries or harm can this job cause the children?

6: Would you recommend that children in the photograph be allowed to continue working at this job? Why or why not?

Answer 1

1: The work area is not safe. There are several dangers present, including the risk of accidents and injuries due to the machinery. The text mentions instances of workers falling into spinning machines and getting injured by unprotected gears.

2: Yes, workers should wear protective clothing. I would recommend that workers, especially the children, wear sturdy footwear, gloves, and appropriate clothing to minimize the risks associated with their work. Safety goggles or glasses may also be necessary to protect their eyes from flying debris or dust.

3: Changes are needed in the work environment to ensure safety. Some recommended changes include implementing safety guards or enclosures around the machinery to prevent workers from falling into them, installing safety mechanisms to stop the machines in case of emergencies, and conducting regular maintenance and inspections of the machinery. Additionally, enforcing strict safety regulations and guidelines is crucial for compliance and accountability.

4: This job is not suitable for young children. Given the hazardous nature of the work, I would recommend that children be prohibited from engaging in this job. The appropriate age for this type of work should be determined based on consultation with experts, considering factors such as physical and cognitive development, maturity, and the availability of educational opportunities.

5: This job can cause various injuries and harm to the children involved, including physical injuries from falls and entanglement with machinery, crushing or severing of body parts due to unprotected gears, respiratory problems from exposure to dust and fibers, as well as long-term health issues and chronic fatigue from demanding work hours and physical strain.

6: I would not recommend that children in the photograph be allowed to continue working at this job. The risks and dangers associated with the work environment, as described in the text, are too significant for children's well-being. Their safety, physical health, and overall development should be prioritized, and they should be provided with opportunities for education, growth, and a safe childhood.

Answer 2

1.The work area is not safe. There are many dangers present, including:

• Unprotected machinery that can cause serious injuries, such as amputations.
• Long hours of work that can lead to fatigue and accidents.
• Exposure to harmful chemicals and dust that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
• Poor working conditions, such as cramped spaces and inadequate ventilation, that can contribute to fatigue, heat stress, and other health problems.

2. Yes, I would recommend that workers wear protective clothing, such as:

• Hard hats to protect the head from injury.
• Safety glasses to protect the eyes from flying objects.
• Gloves to protect the hands from cuts and burns.
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect the skin from chemicals and dust.

3. I would recommend the following changes to the work environment to make it safer:

Install guards on all machinery to prevent accidents.

• Reduce the number of hours that workers are required to work.
• Provide better ventilation to reduce heat stress and other health problems.
• Provide better working conditions, such as more space and better lighting.

4. I would recommend that the minimum age for this job be 18 years old. Children under the age of 18 are not physically or emotionally mature enough to handle the demands of this type of work. They are also more likely to be injured or suffer from health problems as a result of the work.

5.

The following injuries or harm can be caused to children by this job:

• Amputations.
• Burns.
• Respiratory problems.
• Other health problems.

6. No, I would not recommend that children in the photograph be allowed to continue working at this job. The work is too dangerous and the children are too young to handle the demands of the job. They are also more likely to be injured or suffer from health problems as a result of the work