Vintage work crew photos

[Jon]

Boy working at double circular saws. N.Y. Dimension Supply Co. Location: Evansville, Indiana. October, 1908.

Found this one at the Library of Congress archives, which has an excellent Child laborers collection.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...s_fullsize.jpg

[Toolmaker51]

As if the large overhead belt above the unguarded walkway an insufficient hazard. Yet I wonder, sans OSHA, what was the ratio of accidents to labor hours compared to now?

[bruce.desertrat]

Quite high. There's limited data that far back, but as an example thisis for the Steel industry between 1910 and 1939:

Steel Industry fatality and Injury rates, 1910-1939

(Rates are per million manhours)

Period Fatality rate Injury Rate
1910-1913 0.40 44.1
1937-1939 0.13 11.7

Source: https://eh.net/encyclopedia/history-...1880-1970-2/#7

Much of the early records concern mining as it was (and remains) on of the deadliest workplaces:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm4822.pdf See in particular Figure 1: Allegeny County averaged 40+ deaths a month,

and Figure 4 showing the precipitous drop in mining-related deaths.

(note: these are deaths per 100,000 workers)

Also, it was a saw like that that killed Johnny Cash's brother when he was 12.

[hemmjo]

We have some a long way, and we needed to. However, I feel like we are going too far now. At some point, Trying to make things so "safe" that no one can get hurt, creates careless people.

Along the lines of the quote, “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”, by G. Michael Hopf.

The hard times, and dangerous work that were endured by the strong kids, men and women of years past created the the good times we have now. But those good times are rapidly creating a generation of people who do not appreciate the importance or value the determined work ethic of years ago.

[Hoosiersmoker]

And honestly, education is one of the most effective ways to promote safety. Information and education before the opportunity for injury promotes a safer workplace. Intuitive controls and guarding aren't there so the operator can snooze through, they're there for the "oops" moment that would otherwise result in much much worse outcome. So I cut my finger on a sharp guard but kept my hand? That's a tragedy turned into a good day.

[Jon]

I think of the child laborer era like I think of "sweatshops", in that, given the time and circumstances, the only thing worse than the existing labor conditions is not having any jobs available at all. Similarly, when a sweatshop (I don't think locals call them that) opens up somewhere, it's a comparatively safe and reliable job in a place where people are existing at starvation levels of poverty. Western media crusades to end those practices, without substituting any other employment opportunities for locals. I couldn't find it after a quick search, but there was even a NYT article about how Rwandans were thrilled at the opening of a local sweatshop, because, compared to sifting through garbage for barely-edible food, it provided them with their first real paying job.

If industrialization works, child labor is a transitional phase. Here's an example of that transition, again from the Library of Congress. Ironically, the "normal" child in the poster would be considered a ragamuffin today.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...r_fullsize.jpg

[Jon]

Torpedo storage building with sailors working on torpedoes at the Submarine Base, Los Angeles. 1947.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...e_fullsize.jpg

[Toolmaker51]

Torpedo storage building with sailors working on torpedoes at the Submarine Base, Los Angeles. 1947.

I believe the Naval Base described as Los Angeles was actually Seal Beach. Residents will recall the many hemispherical floats [for submarine nets presumably] stacked like cannonballs along the fence line; southeast corner, the intersection of Seal Beach & Westminister Blvd's. The more recognized name is Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, un-indoctrinated locals puzzled at the many earthen mounds visible from 405 Freeway too. As if that's not enough, it is a prominent Wild Life Refuge, mainly attracting sea birds and majestic great horned owls. I surmise the grounds house rabbits, mice and the like.
Time was, among other things, us card-carrying swabs got small-arms practice there, more or less overlooking the vast Pacific. My second visit, we were accompanied by USCG armorers, and felt direct connection to being a tax payer and proud serviceman simultaneously.
Why? 1st time, the Navy Gunnersmate's [GM] had a big range box with 16 Ruger .22lr Heavy Barrel Mk I's, and who knows how many bricks of white box Federal cartridges.
Nice!

Next time, the USCG GM's toted a handmade box too - with 16 Smith & Wesson Mdl #41's.
And commercial Eley target ammunition. . . What an incredible firearm the 41 is.
Nicer!

[IntheGroove]

You would think there would be a bridge crane in that building...

[Ralphxyz]

I wonder how they got the torpedos up on the rack?