Editing Labour law (section)

===Working conditions===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Colliery.jpg|thumb|left|Men leaving the [[History of coal mining|pit]], before the start of [[World War I]]. The average [[life expectancy]] of a [[Liverpool]] mineworker was 30 years in 1900.]] -->
These early efforts were principally aimed at limiting child labour. From the mid-19th century, attention was first paid to the plight of [[working conditions]] for the workforce in general. In 1850, systematic reporting of fatal accidents was made compulsory, and basic safeguards for health, life and limb in the mines were put in place from 1855. Further regulations, relating to ventilation, fencing of disused shafts, signalling standards, and proper gauges and valves for steam-boilers and related machinery were also set down.

A series of further Acts, in 1860 and 1872 extended the legal provisions and strengthened safety provisions. The steady development of the coal industry, an increasing association among miners, and increased scientific knowledge paved the way for the Coal Mines Act of 1872, which extended the legislation to similar industries. The same Act included the first comprehensive code of regulation to govern legal safeguards for health, life and limb. The presence of more certified and competent management and increased levels of inspection were also provided for.

By the end of the century, a comprehensive set of regulations was in place in England that affected all industries. A similar system (with certain national differences) was implemented in other industrializing countries in the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century.