The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire prompted which set of reforms in New York?

• A. Worker protection laws and fire safety inspections of factories
• B. Reduction of factory inspections
• C. Lowering wages for workers
• D. Relaxation of safety standards

Answer: (A)

The event tests how a social disaster can spark government action to protect workers. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire showed the deadly consequences of lax safety and no regular workplace oversight, especially in crowded urban factories. In response, New York moved toward strengthening protections for workers and instituting formal fire-safety inspections of factories. The tragedy helped trigger the Factory Investigating Commission and a wave of reforms that created safer building codes, required safer exits, and established ongoing factory inspections to prevent similar disasters. In other words, it led to increased protections and regulatory oversight, not to reducing inspections, lowering wages, or relaxing safety standards.