In one of the worst work-related disasters in United States’ history, a fire accident in New York City which involved the Triangle Shirtwaist Company killed 146 out of 500 employees in 1911. The clothing factory workers were mainly young
In one of the worst work-related disasters in United States’ history, a fire accident in New York City which involved the Triangle Shirtwaist Company killed 146 out of 500 employees in 1911. The clothing factory workers were mainly young, female immigrants who worked long hours for low wages. These women died needlessly because the employer locked the doors to all the stairway exits—thus, the ninth floor ended up with no access to fire escapes. The only way on and off the floor was an elevator, and the employer did this to prevent the young women from stealing scraps of cloth. This tragedy outraged the public who, in turn, called for dramatic reforms in workplace safety and health. Frances Perkins, who eventually became the first Labor Secretary, investigated the Triangle fire and tri