Final answer:
Critical safety issues at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, such as the pace of mechanized labor, exposure to harmful fibers, extreme temperatures, and poor working conditions, led to numerous fatalities. Similar circumstances were evident in the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, highlighting a repeated pattern of unsafe practices in the garment industry. Both incidents contributed to labor unrest and demands for industry-wide reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory disaster highlighted several critical safety issues that contributed to the tragic loss of life. One major factor was the pace and long hours of mechanized labor, which led to frequent injuries from moving machine parts such as fingers and hands being caught or severed. Workers also suffered from constant standing, resulting in swollen feet, back problems, and, in some cases, miscarriages. The inhalation of textile fibers led to serious breathing problems and permanent disabilities.
In addition, the excessive noise from machinery caused hearing loss, and the combination of high summer temperatures with the heat from machinery and overcrowded workspaces elevated the risk of heat exhaustion. Hazardous working conditions were prevalent, with workers being exposed to toxic chemicals and, in some places, subjected to physical abuse from supervisors. The disaster at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh echoes these issues, as the building collapsed due to structural problems known to the owners, yet workers were forced to continue their jobs under threat of termination.
Labor unrest also played a role in the background of these tragedies, with financial difficulties and poor working conditions leading to violent strikes and demands for changes in the garment industry. The collapse of Rana Plaza led to public outrage and demands for transparency and better conditions in the global garment industry.