1. **Chimney Sweepers:** In the 18th and 19th centuries, many children, often as young as six or seven, worked as chimney sweepers. Their job was to climb up chimneys and clean out the soot and debris that had accumulated, often in dangerous and cramped conditions. This was a hazardous job that led to many health problems and even fatalities among young chimney sweeps due to exposure to toxic fumes and the risk of getting stuck or falling.
2. **Coal Miners:** During the Industrial Revolution, children were also employed as coal miners in many parts of the world. Their small size made them well-suited for squeezing into narrow tunnels and working in cramped, dangerous conditions underground. Children as young as five or six would spend long hours in dark, dusty mines, extracting coal under hazardous circumstances. This work often led to respiratory problems, injuries, and a shortened lifespan for those who labored in the mines.
