6. How did the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire change safety in businesses?
The Triangle Shirtwist Factory fire (sometimes called simply the Triangle Fire) was a terrible industrial disaster that took place on the 25th of March, 1911. The Asch Building was the site of the Triangle Shirtwist Company, located on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors. At the time, the company manufactured women’s blouses, also known as “shirtwaists,” which were very popular.
The fire began late in the afternoon, and quickly spread throughout the factory. Several factors contributed to the fire, such as the highly combustible materials in the building, the lack of proper fire prevention measures in place, and the fact that the factory’s exit doors were “locked” to prevent theft or unauthorized breaks. Most of the workers were unable to get out of the burning building, especially the young immigrant women.
As a result of this tragedy, the lives of 146 workers were lost, either due to the fire itself or as a result of smoke inhalation or by jumping off the upper floors to escape the burning building. It was one of the most devastating and widely publicized disasters in American history.
As mentioned in the previous response, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire had a significant and long-lasting impact on labor law and workplace safety in the United States. It was a major factor in raising awareness about workers’ rights and the need to improve safety and fire prevention practices in factories and other work environments.
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