The rapid development of the factory systems from 1770 onwards led to injurious conditions of labour, especially for young children, who might be apprenticed at age 6 for seven years and have to work in dusty environments between dangerous machines. This Act was the first attempt to limit the degree of exploitation. It limited an apprentice’s hours to 12 a day and forbade apprentice working from 9pm to 6am.
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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Health and Morals of Apprentices Act". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 19 May 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1552, accessed 09 June 2026.]
