Can some one offer some insights into some of the problems that were associated with The Industrial Revolution (which would eventually be addressed during "The Progressive Era" in American History)? For instance, how were workers treated during the early years of the transformation towards industrialization?

They worked long hours for low wages. They were subjected to dangerous conditions and machinery. Children were also hired to work in these conditions.

A memorable passage in Upton Sinclair's fictional The Jungle describes a worker who fell into a vat of lard. His body was not pulled out, but was sold as part of Armour's Pure Lard.