Final answer:
The two main factors leading to fatal injuries in confined spaces are the lack of proper exits and unsafe working conditions, which include environmental hazards like toxic fumes and the risk of fires and explosions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Factors Leading to Fatal Injuries in Confined Spaces
The two major factors leading to fatal injuries in confined spaces are inadequate escape routes and hazardous environmental conditions. In historical and recent tragedies alike, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, we see that lack of proper exits and unsafe working conditions contribute greatly to the high fatality rates. Locked stairwell doors prevented escape and contributed to smoke inhalation and burn fatalities, while the collapse of poorly constructed fire escapes caused deaths from falls. Confined spaces also often contain environmental hazards, such as the presence of cotton bales alongside the oil in textile factories which made fire a typical occurrence, leading to inhalation of toxic fumes and burns. Moreover, similar risks were found in coal mines with the potential for entrapment, explosion, and the development of respiratory diseases from long-term exposure to coal dust.