Class : EM/MM1 Subject: Industrial Orientation

February 2021.
Lesson : Disadvantages of the Industrial Revolution.

a. Environmental degradation
Despite the enormous benefits, the Industrial Revolution had a number of
deleterious effects on society.
(i). There was smoke pollution in the atmosphere with the emergence of
factories.
(ii). Air pollution due to increase in coal consumption
(iii). Noise nuisance by gas companies
(iv). Pollution of waterways by highly toxic effluent dumped into sewers and
rivers.
Environmental laws and public health legislation had to be enacted to bring into
effect regulations to control the situation.

b. Working conditions
The Industrial Revolution was indeed a time of great progress. There were large
factories that could mass produce goods at a low price. People folcek from their
farms in the countryside to the cities to work in factories, mills, and mines.
Despite such progress, life was not easy for the working class. Working
conditions were poor and sometimes dangerous.

(i). Long working hours

Unlike today, workers during the Industrial Revolution were expected tio work
long hours or lose their jobs.Many workers worked 12 hour days, six days a
week.There was no time off or vacations. Those who fell ill,or were injured on the
job and missed work, were fired.

(ii). Dangerous work

A lot of the jobs during the Industrial Revolution were dangerous. There were no
government regulations to help protect workers.Workers had to work closely with
powerful machines that had no safety features. It was not uncommon to lose a
finger or limb.Workers in mines were subject to tiny tunnels that could easily
collapse and trap them underground.

1.
 (iii). A lot of facilities where people worked were unsafe. The lighting was bad
making it difficult to see. Factories and mines were filled with dust that not only
make it difficult to breathe, but could cause diseases including cancer. Other
places were unsafe,there were fire hazards where they dealt with flammable
chemicals or fireworks.The smallest spark could set off a blaze or explosion.

(iv). Child Labour

A lot of factories used child labour in unsafe conditions.Factrories hired children
because they worked for low waghes. In some cases, they hired children
because they could fit into places where adults could not. Children were
subjected to the same long work week and poor conditions as adults. Many
children fell asleep and got killed by moving machinery. Or got sick working in
factories.

(v). Living conditions.The living conditions in crowded cities were not any better
than working conditions. As more and more people moved to the cities, large
slums were formed. Places were dirty and insanitary. Entire families lived in
single apartments, with people living so close, diseases spread rapidly and there
was little medical care to help them get well.

Workers Organisation and Government Regulations.

In the late stages of the Industrial Revolution, workers began to organise into
trade unions in order to fight for better and safer working conditions.
The government also became involved and new regulations were imposed to
shorten the work week and make factories safer.

2.