Introduction

Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire remains to be Americas most infamous industrial fire incident. The deaths that occurred from the incident were preventable, and it brought to attention to the conditions of the factories (Labowitz 5). It, therefore, bring to the question on the need for safety measures to be put in place in the workplace. The deaths that result from some of the incidences can be prevented when the necessary measures are put in place with the responsibility of each of the workers.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that contributed to the death of 145 people in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. It will also describe the incident and state nature of individuals that were involved. Understanding the factors that contributed to the death of the individuals who worked in the factory will help in coming up with better ways to prevent the re-occurrence of such an incident again in the factories and work areas.

A fire breakout is a dangerous incident that can result to severe damage to property and also may result to death to a living thing; therefore, it is necessary to put measures in place to prevent the occurrence through ensuring equipment are serviced, working and availability of alternative ways

Description

It is evidently clear to say that, the incidence that lead to the death of people in the factory included blocked fire exit doors, faulty elevators and un-serviced hose reels were some of the negligence perpetrated by the factory owners leading to deaths of hundreds of workers. The number of faulty elevators were three with only one working, this reduced the opportunity of more workers escaping the incidence, and there was also a narrow corridor for exit (Reilly 14). There locking of one of the exits from outside to prevent theft also reduced the chances to escape because there was only one operational and it was also difficult to open because it only opened inward. All of the above factors made escaping more difficult, and therefore a large number of the workers were burned alive.

            Max Blanck and Isaac Harris were the sole owners of the Triangle factory. On the top upper three floors of Asch building, Manhattan is where the Triangle factory was located (Pool 197). The company employed majorly young teenage immigrant girls who worked with sewing machines. This, therefore, shows most of the individuals who perished from the incident were young

On Saturday, March 25th in the afternoon, a fire broke out with 600 workers on site (Linder 1). Workers had trust in the building since it was fireproof. The shift manager tried to put out the fire by using a water hose reel but was unsuccessful since there was no pressure. The fire spread out quickly consuming the hanging patterns and later spreading everywhere (Robinson 2). Some workers were lucky to escape the inferno via the elevator which could only hold 12 people but unfortunately; the elevator broke down in the midst after making four trips back and forth. Those left behind by the elevator plunged down its shaft where they met their deaths. Many of the girls who used the stairwells found the door locked where they met awful demises.

The owners of the factory were at the time on the top floors above the fire together with some of the workers. They escaped to the rooftop and then to the adjacent buildings. Firefighters were unable to save lives since the trapped girls decided to jump from the windows where they fell on the fire hoses making it difficult for the firefighters to start putting off the fire (Robinson 2). There was also a challenge with their ladder because it reached the 7th floor and the fire was on the 8th floor. Life nets were brought in to save the jumpers, but it proved ineffectual since three girls jumped at a go ripping the net.  This occurred and within 18 minutes everything was destroyed, and a total of 145 people died from the horrific scene.

Arguments

Presence of the faulty elevators, the elevators that were present and could be able to assess the floor of the factory were four. During the period only one of the four elevators were working.  The one elevator made only four trips saving the lives of some workers before it malfunctioned (Robinson 3). It is therefore clear that if all the elevators were working a larger number of individuals could have been saved.

Availability of only one exit door, it was clearly stated that one of the door was locked to prevent issues of theft in the factory. During the incident, some of the workers used the stairs, but unfortunately, the exit door was closed. They could not escape, and sadly they died. Presence of a good number of the exits could have allowed the individuals to escape unhurt thus need for measures.

Un-serviced hose reels reduced the possibility of putting off the fire. The manager tried to use the hose to extinguish the fire, but it was not possible because the hose was rotten and also the valve was rusted. This indicates no servicing of equipment was done before the incident occurred.  This thus resulted in the spreading of the fire which led to the death of the workers.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Incidence of fire breakout can occur in any workplace and can result to severe damages and even death if relevant measures are not put in place to prevent the occurrence of damages that result from fire and therefore ways to reduce the extent of the damage. The major deaths that occurred from the fire incidences in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory could have been prevented if necessary precautions were in place before the fire breakout

 

 

Work cited

Linder, Douglas. "The triangle shirtwaist factory fire trial." (2007).

Labowitz, Sarah. "Factory safety and labor protections; the difference between the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire and Rana Plaza." Center for Business and Human Rights Blog 25 (2016).

Pool, Heather. "The Politics of mourning: The Triangle Fire and political belonging." Polity 44.2 (2012): 182-211.

Robinson, Paul H., and Sarah Robinson. "CRIMES THAT CHANGED OUR WORLD: TRAGEDY, OUTRAGE, AND REFORM: Chapter One: 1911 Triangle Factory Fire: Building Safety Codes." (2018).

Reilly, Tanya. "The History of Fire Escapes." (2018).