What was established by the Act of 1833?

The Act of 1833, officially known as the Factory Act of 1833, established a professional Factory Inspectorate as a means to improve conditions in factories, particularly for child laborers. This was a pivotal piece of legislation that addressed the hazardous conditions prevalent during the Industrial Revolution. The Act set regulations concerning the hours of work for children and mandated factory inspection to ensure compliance with these new labor regulations.

The establishment of the Factory Inspectorate represented a significant step towards organized oversight regarding working conditions. Inspectors were given the authority to enter factories and examine the conditions under which workers, especially children, were toiling, which was essential in promoting a safer working environment.

Other options, while related to labor reform, either did not originate from the Act of 1833 or were not the primary focus of this legislation. Workplace safety protocols and health insurance programs, for instance, evolved later as awareness of occupational health grew. Minimum wage standards are also a more modern development in labor law, distinctly separate from the Act's initial objectives. Thus, the creation of the Factory Inspectorate directly aligns with the intent and framework established by the Act of 1833 to protect workers and regulate working conditions.