Factory inspector

A factory inspector is someone who checks that factories comply with regulations affecting them.

UK Factory Inspectorate The enforcement of UK Factory Acts before that of 1833 had been left to local magistrates, which had meant that any compliance with those acts within the cotton industry to which they applied was effectively voluntary. The initial role of the Factory Inspectorate was to ensure compliance with the limits on age and working hours for children in the cotton industry, thus protecting them from overwork and injury. Four factory inspectors were appointed, with powers equivalent to a magistrate, the right to enter at will any cotton mill at work, and powers to introduce regulations (without parliamentary approval) to effectively implement the Factory Act. The inspectors were assisted by 'superintendents', who had none of their powers (the lack of a right of entry being a particular weakness). The Factory Act 1844 made the superintendents into 'sub-inspectors' with the right of entry at will. By the same Act, the inspectors lost their magisterial powers and the right to make regulations was transferred to the Home Secretary; a duty to guard machinery was laid on employers (but only where the machinery was in areas accessed by children or young people), the Factory Inspectorate therefore becoming concerned with the adequacy of machine guarding.

In 1893 Mary Paterson and May Tennant were the first two women to become factory inspectors earning £200 a year. Factory Inspectors had existed since 1833 but for the first sixty years they were all men.

H.M. Chief Inspector of Factories. A chronological list of Her (His) Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories: +HM Chief Inspector of FactoriesChief InspectorIn postAlexander Redgrave CB; b. 9 June 1818, d. 18941861–78 joint chief inspector with Robert Baker, chief inspector 1878–91Robert Baker; b. 1803, d. 18801861–78 joint chief inspector with Alexander RedgraveFrederick H. Whymper; b. 1828, d. 18931891–92Richard Edward Sprague Oram; b. 1830, d. 8 March 19091892–96Dr Arthur (Sir Arthur) Whitelegge; b. 17 October 1852, d. 25 April 19331896–1917Sir Malcolm Robinson CB; b. 12 February 1857, d. 27 August 19331917–20Robert Ernest Graves CBE; b. 22 December 1866, d. 21 May 19221920–22 died in officeSir Gerald Bellhouse CBE; b. 1867, d. 15 September 19461922–32Sir Duncan Randolph Wilson CBE; b. 1875, d. 1 March 19451932–39Sir Wilfred Garrett; b. 1880, d. 19671939–46Howard Everson Chasteney; b. 9 August 1888, d. 18 February 19471946–47 died in officeSir George Percy Barnett; b. 19 October 1894, d. 19 October 19651947–57Thomas Warburton McCullough CB, OBE; b. 13 March 1901, d. 28 December 19891957–63Ronald Kington Christy CB; b. 18 August 1905, d. 29 August 19871963–67William John Conway Plumbe; b. 17 March 1910, d. 9 November 19791967–71Bryan Hugh Harvey CBE; b. 17 October 1914, d. 22 February 20041971–74James (Jim) Dominic George Hammer CB; b. 21 April 19291975– 84David Charles Thomas Eves CB; b. 10 January 19421985–88A. J. (Tony) Lineham1988–92David Charles Thomas Eves CB; b. 10 January 19421992–2002

Factory inspector

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