Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-07-27
CHAPTER 1873.

AN ACT 20 Regulate the Employment and Pro-
vide For the Safety OF Women and Children
In Mercantile Industries and Manufacturing
Establishments.
II IL enacted by the General Assembly as fol-
lows:
SECTION l. No child under twelve years Of
age shall be employed In any factory, manu-
featuring or mercantile establishment within
this state. II shall be the duty Of every per-
son. firm or corporation employing children.
Co keep register IN which shall be recorded
the name, birthplace, age and place Of resi-
dence Of every person employed under the age
of sixteen years. and said register shall be pro-
duced for inspection on demand by either OF
the inspectors appointed under this act.
sEo 2. No person. firm OF corporation en-
ploying less than I've persons who are women
or children shall be deemed q factory, manu-
featuring or mercantile establishment within
the meaning OF this act.
SEC g. The governor SHALL between the hf-
teenth and thirtieth days OF June. 1894, and be-
tween the fifteenth ana thirtleth days of June
in every third year thereafter, appoint two fac
tory inspectors, one OF whom shall be a woman.
each OF whom shall have u salary Of fifteen
hundred dollars year. and whose term OF
Office shall be three years from date of their
appointment, and until their successors shall
qualify. They shall, at all times, be subject TO
removal by the governor for neglect of duty or
halfeasance in the discharge of duty, and, In
said offices from any cause, the governor shall
appoint successors TO fill such vacancies, for
the unexpired term OF said office. The said In
spectors shall be- empowered 10 visit and In
spect, at all reasonable hours, and as often as
practicable, the factories, work shops and other
establishments In the state employing women
or children, and shall report TO the general
assembly of this state at its January ses-
sion In each year, including In said re-
port the names OF the factories, the num-
ber of such hands employed and the
number OF hours work performed each week.
II shall also be the duty of said inspectors 10
enforce the provisions Of this act and to prose-
cute all violations of the same before any court
OF competent Jurisdiction In the state. The
said inspectors shall devote their whole time
and attention 10 the duties of their respective
Offices. In case OF any conflict of authority
between the said inspectors. either Of them
may apply for Instructions 20 the governor.
whose decision OF the ersy, after hear
Ing the statement OF each inspector and max
ing such further Investigation of the circum-
stances as he may deem necessary, shall be-
final.
sEc.A All necessary expenses incurred by
such inspectors in the discharge Of their duties
shall be paid from the funds of the state upon
the presentation Of proper vouchers for the
same. approved by the governor Provided.
that not more than twelve hundred dollars
shall be expended by the said inspectors in the
aggregate In any one year.
SEC. o. IL shall be the duty OF the owner, agent
or lessee of any such factory, mannfaotur-
ing or mercantile establishment where hoist
ing shafts or well holes are used, 70 cause the
same TO be properly and Substantially enclosed
or secured, II la the opinion OF the inspectors
II is necessary " protect the life or limbs Of
those employed In such establishments. IL
shall be the duty Of the owneTs. agent or les
see TO provide or 20 cause to be provided such
proper trap or automatic doors. so fastened, In
or at oil elevator ways as To form substantial
surfaces when closed and 80 constructed IA 10
open and close by action of the elevator In Its
passage either ascending or descending, IL 80
directed by said factory inspectors, or either
one Of them.
SEQ. g. No minor, under sixteen years OF
age, shall be allowed TO clean machinery while
IN motion, unless the same is necessary and Is
approved 10y said inspectors rs not dangerous.
All betting and gearing shall be provided with
proper safeguard.
SEC. I. II shall be the duty OF the owners OF
superintendent 10 report, In writing. 10 the fac
tory inspectors all fatal accidents within forty
eight hours after their occurrence, and all ac-
cidents which prevent the injured person or
persons from returning TO work within two
weeks after the injury, shall within one week
after the expiration Of such two weeks, BE- re-
ported In writing by the person In charge Of
such establishment or place 90 the said inspect
ors, stating aa fully as possible the cause OF
suoh accidents.
SEC. 2. Water closets, earth closets or priv
les shall be provided In all places where wom-
en- and children are employed, In suoh manner
a. shall In the Judgment OF said inspectors,
meet the demands OF health and propriety.
Separate dressing rooms Tor women and girls
shall be provided In all establishments where
such are deemed q necessity by said factory
inspectors, and In every manufacturfng me-
chanical OF mercantile establishment In which
women and girls are employed, there shall be
provided, conveniently located, seats for such
women and girls and they shall be permitted
20 use them when their duties do not require
their standing.
SIC. o. II the inspectors q factories, or ei-
Ing, ventilation OF sanitary arrangement Of
any shop or factory Is such ae TO be Injurious
90 the health OF the persons employed therein,
or that the means OF eRress In case Of fire or
other disaster r. not sufficient or Ia accordance
with AL tle requirements OF law, or that the
betting, sbafting, gearing, elevators, drums
and machinery In shops and factories are To-
oated - as ~ be dangerous 10 employees, and
not sufficiently guarded, or that the vats, pans
OF structures dlled with molten metal or hot
liquid are not surrounded with proper safe
guards for preventing accident or injury 20
thosc employed NJ OF near them, ether OF both
shall notify the proprietor of suoh factory or
workshop to make the alterations or additions
necessary within ninety days, and n such al
terations or additions are not made within
ninety days from the day Of such notice, or
within such time as such alterations can he
made with proper diligence upon the part Of
said proprietors, said proprietors or agents
shall be deemed guilty Of violating tho pro-
visions of this act. subject however, 10 the
right Of appeal, a. hereinafter provided.