What was the worst job in the workhouse?

Answer 1

There were many terrible jobs for working class people during the Industrial Revolution, but two in particular stand out for me - matchstick makers and coal hurriers. Check out the matchstick makers of the Industrial Revolution. They worked in front of a huge vat of dangerous chemicals 12-14 hours a day, and the chemicals (phosphorus, I believe) would leech onto the workers and into their food. Overtime, the workers would develop a condition called 'jaw rot' whereby their teeth and jaw bones would literally disintegrate. Working in coal mines were no picnics either - women known as hurriers had to pull heavy cart load of coals from the mining site underground to the entrance of the mine through miles of dark, cold, and wet tunnels. Doesn't sound too bad, until you find out that the shafts were only 2 - 3 feet high and women had to crawl on their hands and knees, while the cart was chained around their waist. Women mainly did this work and did so, according to testimony, even while they were in the 'family way' or pregnant. The back break labour resulted in long term physical disabilities in the back and knees, as well as high rates of Arthritis for these workers.

Answer 2

gong farmer is the worst job ever, you had to sweep up human feaces.