The civilian body in wartime : occupational health and safety on Clydeside during the Second World War

This thesis investigates occupational health, safety and welfare in industry in the Clydeside region during the Second World War. This area of occupational health history has been significantly under-researched, and so this thesis addresses this apparent neglect whilst adding to the existing debate concerning masculinities and femininities in the workplace. The thesis is presented thematically and draws on a wide variety of both primary and secondary source material in uncovering working conditions, safety and medical provision, protective clothing, industrial health and worker attitudes to risk and danger in the workplace. The results of interviews conducted with men and women who worked in the Clydeside area during the Second World War, along with pre-existing oral history studies, have proved illuminating and have added much to this analysis of health and safety at work on Clydeside during the Second World War. It is argued that there was a deterioration in occupational health and safety standards on Clydeside during the Second World War, followed by some amelioration. What is apparent however, is that wide variations existed in regards to health, safety and welfare conditions within the Clydeside area. This research also demonstrates both male and female workers responses to occupational health and safety issues in a traditionally masculine working environment during wartimeThis thesis investigates occupational health, safety and welfare in industry in the Clydeside region during the Second World War. This area of occupational health history has been significantly under-researched, and so this thesis addresses this apparent neglect whilst adding to the existing debate concerning masculinities and femininities in the workplace. The thesis is presented thematically and draws on a wide variety of both primary and secondary source material in uncovering working conditions, safety and medical provision, protective clothing, industrial health and worker attitudes to risk and danger in the workplace. The results of interviews conducted with men and women who worked in the Clydeside area during the Second World War, along with pre-existing oral history studies, have proved illuminating and have added much to this analysis of health and safety at work on Clydeside during the Second World War. It is argued that there was a deterioration in occupational health and safety standards on Clydeside during the Second World War, followed by some amelioration. What is apparent however, is that wide variations existed in regards to health, safety and welfare conditions within the Clydeside area. This research also demonstrates both male and female workers responses to occupational health and safety issues in a traditionally masculine working environment during wartim