Final answer:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire resulted in 146 deaths due to safety issues such as locked exits and inadequate emergency response capabilities, leading to strengthened labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and Its Impact on Labor Laws
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was a devastating industrial disaster that occurred in March 1911 in New York City. A fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, trapping employees inside due to safety violations such as locked exit doors, inadequate fire escapes, and insufficient firefighting equipment. This tragedy claimed the lives of 146 workers, most of whom were young immigrant women. The fire's aftermath led to significant changes in workplace safety regulations and labor laws.
Potential problems at the factory that contributed to the high death toll included poor factory safety measures, such as the locked doors, which were meant to prevent theft but effectively prevented workers from escaping. Firefighters were unable to rescue those trapped as their ladders fell short of the necessary height, and fire escapes collapsed under the weight of the fleeing workers. The public outcry following the fire resulted in a push for improved building codes, better firefighting techniques and equipment, and a focus on workers' rights and safety.
In conclusion, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was an event that not only exposed the risks workers faced in early 20th-century American factories but also sparked a movement for stronger safety standards and labor protections, many of which still benefit workers today.