Final answer:
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has the authority to demand an investigation into a worker's death, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which mandates safe workplace practices. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire significantly impacted workers' rights and safety regulations, leading to reforms and the growth of unions advocating for workplace safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organization that would have the legal right to demand a mandatory investigation into the death of a worker in Toronto is the Ontario Ministry of Labour. This ministry is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which protects workers from health and safety hazards on the job. If there is a serious hazard or an employer is not following OSHA standards, workers or their representatives can file a complaint. The OHSA stipulates that employers must inform their employees of any potential dangers in the workplace, ensuring that workers can perform their duties in a safe environment.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire is an example of a workplace tragedy that led to major reforms in workers' rights and safety regulations. Similar to OHSA, the changes after the Triangle Shirtwaist fire aimed at improving factory safety standards and spurred the growth of unions, like the ILGWU, fighting for better working conditions. Dramatic images from the fire, such as those of victims being placed into coffins and of women leaping to their deaths, galvanized public support for tougher safety regulations.
Recommendations that could be made to ensure future worker safety include the implementation of strict building codes, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, mandatory safety training for workers, and regular inspections. Public postings of workplace safety records and allowing workers to freely report safety violations without fear of retaliation are also important measures. Such steps could contribute to a safer working environment and prevent tragic incidents similar to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.