Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap commemorates a grim anniversary with the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) remembrance of the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
ASSP noted that the factory fire in lower Manhattan killed 146 garment workers – most of them women as young as 14 – on March 25, 1911. The Society observed a moment of silence at 4:45 pm ET Saturday – the exact time the first alarm was sounded. ASSP also noted that the legacy of what became the deadliest industrial disaster in New York City history was the creation of numerous workplace safety systems (including workers’ comp) that stand to this day. The Society also noted that the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition is creating a memorial at the original site, and ASSP has made significant contributions to its construction, with a dedication ceremony expected in the Fall.