Mines Regulation Act of 1860

Mines Regulation Act of 1860 is an act of Parliament of the United Kingdom to raise the age of children working in coal mines from 10 to 12 years of age. There were exceptions if the boys could read and write or attended school for six hours per week. The act also improved safety rules.

The Mines Regulation Act of 1860

Parliament of Great Britain
Citation	151
Territorial extent	Great Britain
Dates
Royal assent	1860

Background

Two thrusters and a trapper (who worked the ventilation doors, usually boys) in a UK coal mine about 1853.

During the Victorian era, there was concern about working conditions for women and children in mills, factories, workshops, and particularly in coal mines. A Report by a Royal commission, conducted in 1842 showed that there were children eight years of age and younger who were employed in the mines. In eastern Scotland, there were both girls and boys who worked in the mines. There were also women who worked in mines. The key finding was that mine owners were not concerned about the working conditions, which were found to be degrading.[1]

In 1842, the Mines and Collieries Bill was passed in Parliament to prevent girls and women from working underground and placed a minimum age of ten for boys. Anthony Ashley-Cooper supported the bill. Due to the number of accidents in coal mines, the Coal Mines Inspection Act of 1850 mandated the appointment of coal mine inspectors who reported to the Home Office. The act stipulated the inspector's responsibilities and powers.[1] The legislation focused on improving ventilation, lighting, and workers' safety.[2]

Legislation

One hundred and fourteen men and boys were killed on 15 July 1856 as the result of the Cymmer Colliery explosion at the Old Pit mine of the Cymmer Colliery near Porth, Wales. The underground explosion of gas resulted in a "sacrifice of human life to an extent unparalleled in the history of coal mining of this country".[3][4]

The Coal Mines Regulation Act of 1860 raised the minimum age for male coal mine workers to 12 years of age, from ten.[1] It did allow a provision for boys between ten and twelve years of age to work at the mines under two conditions. One was that they could read and write, as documented by a schoolmaster. Another condition allowed them to work in the mines if they attended school for six hours per week (three hours twice a week).[5][6]

It also improved safety rules.[1] Miners were given the ability to select checkweighman, but mine owners were also given the ability to dismiss them.[2]

Impact to further legislation

Checkweighman's positions were made secure with the Mine Regulation Act of 1872.[2] From 1873, boys below the age of twelve were excluded from underground employment. Exemptions could be ordered by the Secretary of State for mines working thin seams.[6]

Above ground work

There were regulations for above ground work for boys and girls. The minimum age for part-time work was 10 years of age, and 12 years of age for full-time work.[6]

References

1. "Coal mines". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
2. Checkland, S. G. (1983). British and Public Policy 1776-1939: An Economic, Social and Political Perspective. Cambridge University Press. pp. 137. ISBN 978-0-521-27086-1.
3. Lewis, E. D. (1976). "The Cymer (Rhondda) Explosion". Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion: 118–161. hdl:10107/1419644.
4. Evans, Thomas (1857). "Report of the Working of the Coal Mines Inspection Act (18 & 19 Vict. c. 108.) in the South Wales District". House of Commons Papers (Reports of the Inspectors of Coal Mines, to Her Majesty's Secretary of State to December 1856). 16: 141.
5. McKinney, Stephen J.; McCluskey, Raymond (2019-05-23). A History of Catholic Education and Schooling in Scotland: New Perspectives. Springer. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-137-51370-0.
6. McIntosh, Robert (2000-10-17). Boys in the Pits: Child Labour in Coal Mines. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-2093-6.