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.

[11] 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.

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".

[11] It did allow a provision for boys between ten and twelve years of age to work at the mines under two conditions.

[12] Checkweighman's positions were made secure with the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act 1872 (35 & 36 Vict.