What were working conditions like in factories during the Industrial Revolution?

During the Industrial Revolution, factory working conditions were notoriously poor, characterized by long hours, low wages, and unsafe environments. Workers often toiled for 12 to 16 hours a day, six days a week, in factories that were poorly ventilated, overcrowded, and lacking basic safety measures. The emphasis on maximizing production led to a neglect of worker well-being, resulting in frequent accidents and health issues. Injuries were common due to machinery that lacked safety guards and the overall hazardous nature of the work environment.

Additionally, wages were typically insufficient to support a family, forcing many workers, including women and children, to work just to make ends meet. The lack of regulations during this period meant that factory owners prioritized profit over the welfare of their employees, significantly contributing to the harsh conditions faced by the workforce.

In contrast, other options suggest a level of regulation, comfort, or empowerment through unions, which did not reflect the reality for the majority of factory workers during this time. While unions did become more prominent later in response to these conditions, the initial industrial work environment was marked by exploitation and neglect rather than equitable treatment or rights for the workers.