This is a new addition to the Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail website. Whilst researching people buried at Weaste Cemetery, it became evident that a number of Salford citizens had had their lives cut short whilst carrying out their duties at work. As a retired Health and Safety Officer, this part of Salford’s history is of great interest to me. The first Factories Acts 1833 and 1844 were designed to regulate hours of work of children and women, and to protect people from the dangers of moving machinery. The 1833 Act also made provision for 4 Factory Inspectors to enforce the Act in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to make the factory masters and mill owners care for their workers any more. Simple errors were made resulting in loss of life. And there wasn’t any compensation for the injured victims’ families either.

   The stories not only mention the names of the victims, but also refer to witnesses too. I hope that readers who are doing their own family history may be able to make connections to some of the people in these stories.

   Pete Kilvert, Secretary, Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust.

   The initial list of 10 follows and new additions will be highlighted ().