A timeline of health and safety
1819: Peterloo Massacre, Manchester
August 16, 1819
The Peterloo Massacre took place at St Peter’s Field, Manchester, Lancashire, England on Monday 16 August 1819 when cavalry charged into a crowd of 60,000–80,000 who had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation.
1833: HM Factory inspectorate formed
June 27, 1833
The first factory inspectors were appointed under the provisions of the Factories Act 1833. Initially their main duty was to prevent injury and overworking in child textile workers. The four inspectors were responsible for approximately 3,000 textile mills and had powers to enter mills and question workers. They were also able to formulate new regulations and laws to ensure the Factories Act could be suitably enforced. Despite serious opposition from contemporary politicians and employers, the factory inspectors were enthusiastic and were able to influence subsequent legislation relating to machinery guarding and accident reporting. By 1868 there were 35 inspectors and sub-inspectors, each responsible for a distinct geographical area. Changes to legislation during the period 1860 to 1871 extended the Factories Act to practically all workplaces and the inspectors took on the role of technical advisers in addition to their enforcement duties. Major technological developments, world wars and the changing nature of employment have provided a constant challenge to factory inspectors over subsequent years.
1835: Tolpuddle Martyrs
March 6, 1835
The Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of six agricultural labourers in the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, England, who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers in 1834.
1842: Lune Street Massacre Preston
August 12, 1842
1843: Mines inspectorate formed
January 1, 1843
1888: TUC founded
June 2, 1888
Inaugural meeting of TUC in Manchester Mechanics Institute
1893: First women factory inspector appointed
June 27, 1893
1898: Match Girls’ Strike
July 1, 1898
Bryant and May, Match girls strike.
1915: Quintinshill rail crash
May 22, 1915
Quintinshill rail crash – 226 killed
1957: Windscale fire
October 10, 1957
Windscale fire in Cumbria
1961: The Factories Act
March 28, 1961
The Factories Act of 1961 (effective 1 April 1962) brings together earlier factory acts aimed at governing the conditions for workers in factories. These included requirements in cleanliness, temperature, lighting, ventilation, numbers of workers, washing and toilet arrangements. The Act still has some relevance today in law but much of it has been superseded by the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.
1974 Health and Safety at Work Act
October 1, 1974
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The primary legislation governing workplace health and safety in the UK. Still in use today and sitting above the many Regulations that inform the Act. Essential for employers/ duty holders, local councils, workers, self employed, unions, the public and anyone with an interest in safer working practices.