Work you're glad to be out of

[andrewalston]

Anyone come across occupations you are glad don't exist any more, or are done differently these days?

One census sheet I came across listed a lad's occupation as Rivet carrier.
That's the person who carries white-hot rivets from the furnace to the piece being worked on (usually a boiler) to be hammered into shape. The aim is to be quick about it, not letting the rivet cool.

The lad was ten years old.

[JillJ]

One of mine was a "Coal Miner - horsedriver, below ground".  All those poor pit ponies - not to mention the men!

Jill

[Su]

Yes, my Dad's mother's side were miners, the children had a terrible time and many lost their lives in underground accidents.

All the jobs which involved people inhaling toxic fumes i.e. asbestos makers, match makers, dyers, and even cotton factory workers who daily inhaled cotton dust.

No wonder so many died so young.

Su

[Jane Eden]

I would hate to be a night soilman, (a person employed to empty cesspits, ashpits and backyard toilets).

Yuck!

Jane

[Sylviaann]

Or a PURE collector.

Dog poo to you, mind I still do that with my own dog but not dogs belonging to other people.

Sylviaann

[Jane Eden]

I would also hate to be an executioner, hangman or the person that cleared up the mess afterwards.

Jane

[Dimps]

Anyone come across occupations you are glad don't exist any more, or are done differently these days?

One census sheet I came across listed a lad's occupation as Rivet carrier.
That's the person who carries white-hot rivets from the furnace to the piece being worked on (usually a boiler) to be hammered into shape. The aim is to be quick about it, not letting the rivet cool.

The lad was ten years old.

Andrew, I think I've just come across this lad, and he might be a relative!  Was he Frederick Towell living in Greenwich in 1861, son of George Towell, boilermaker?

Dimps