Child labour in mines. 19th-century artworks of children (boys and girls) working in mines. The advent of the Industrial Revolution in the UK led to this type of child labour during the 19th century. Children as young as 6 years were expected to haul trucks of coal weighing up to 250 kilograms for up to 14 hours per day. Such labourers were known as 'putters' or 'hurriers'. They were used in tunnels that were too low to allow access for horses. Artwork from the 1842 report submitted by the UK Parliament's Children's Employment Commission. The Mines and Collieries Act 1842 banned all girls and boys under 10 from working underground in coal mines.