The Triangle shirtwaist Factory Fire, in 1911, killed 146 employees. While working in the factory, a fire started in the bin. The manager tried to put it out, but was unable to because the water hose was rusted. There were not many ways to escape. Most of the doors were locked because the owners feared theft. There was an elevator, but only so many could go down at a time, it would take hours to get all of the workers down. Many threw themselves down the elevator shaft while waiting for it to come back up. Others threw themselves out the window, they were on the eighth floor. The Triangle shirtwaist factory shook the world. It made the government act in a way it never thought it could. They implemented new laws and safety protocols to protect workers safety. The doors could not be locked, sprinklers must be installed, there has to be exit routes, regular fire drills, the workers must have and be trained to use fire extinguishers, and many more. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, although a horrible tragedy, this accident helped shape the present day. The reforms in occupational safety laws help to insure the safety of workers today.
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