We read a lot about the miserable working conditions in the 19th and early 20th century.

One thing I’ve always wondered is how a 12 or 16 hour day involving manual labor is even done? How could one work at a place like a steel mill for years on end under those conditions?

I’ve seen arguments that this mode of work was relatively new, as peasant farmers worked hard but had many punctuated breaks and off time during parts of the year.

Would a miner literally be wielding a pick for the entire time? Did workers sneak breaks and meals? After several hours, did the pace of work drop off and were employers okay with it?

My question revolves specifically around working conditions in the US, Canada, and Western Europe during this period.