Why “Triangle” Safety Consulting?
On March 25, 1911, a fire started in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors of a building in Manhattan. The fire started on the 8th floor, and they could notify the 10th floor only where the executives of the company were, but they could not notify the 9th floor. Workers in the factory, mostly women or girls, had little time or opportunity to escape due to the unacceptable safety practices.
The building had one fire escape, which broke when employees tried to flee. Long tables and bulky machines trapped many of the victims. The work tables were up against the windows where the fire escape was so it was hard to get out. Managers locked doors daily to prevent clothing theft so workers could not escape the fire. As a result, workers died from being burned, smoke inhalation, or jumping out the window to their deaths. Not only were the doors locked, but they also swung the wrong way. So when many panicked workers went for the doors, they couldn’t get out because the door opened towards them, and the many panicked people were pushed against the door.
There were only a few buckets of water to attempt to put out the flames. When workers tried to use the water hoses on each floor, there was no pressure, and nothing came out. Outside, firefighters' ladders were too short of reaching the top floors, and ineffective safety nets ripped like paper when employees jumped. There were so many safety failures that occurred on this day.
The factory floor after the fire. Long work tables and back-to-back chairs became deadly obstacles to workers trying to escape when the fire broke out.
Photo source: International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Archives, Kheel Center, Cornell University
The fire ended up killing 146 workers, who were mostly women and girls. This tragic event led to new workplace safety standards written into law.
Inspiration
This event inspired me to honor the girls, women, and men who died in this horrific yet preventable event by naming my company “Triangle” Safety Consulting. Triangle Safety Consulting LLC is on a mission to help manufacturing facilities prevent these types of incidents by educating on safety and health standards, finding and fixing hazards, and implementing solutions to improve unsafe conditions in the workplace. We are looking forward to helping your workplace improve its safety program!
