“OSHA’s Mission” (U.S. Department of Labor).
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: From Tragedy to Reform
Workplace Safety
The 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) required businesses to maintain workplace injury records. "The OSH Act authorizes OSHA compliance safety and health officers (CSHO's), to conduct workplace inspections to determine if workers can perform their jobs in a safe and healthy way" (SafetyVideos, 2022). OSHA requires owners to maintain workplaces “free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical injury” (Boone, 2015).
(Blanchette, Ahlstrom Company Safety Manager, 2025).
Since its enactment, injuries declined and deaths dropped from 18 per 100,000 in 1970 to 3.3 in 2013.
“Early efforts at improving safety” (Monthly Labor Review, 2015).
“Job Safety and Health - IT'S THE LAW” (U.S. Department of Labor).
During the Triangle fire, locked doors trapped workers; today, fail-safe locks ensure emergency exits.
“Electromagnetic Lock Access Control” (Avigilon).