Promoting and Rewarding Safe Practices in the Workplace

We recently discovered that March 25, 2011, was the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle (Shirtwaist) Factory Fire in New York City. The fire cost the lives of 146 workers.

The significance of the Triangle Factory Fire is that it galvanized American legislators into enacting laws to protect the safety of American workers. A full account of the fire and those who died, with dramatic photos and a listing of the names of the (mostly young) people, men and especially adolescent girls, is available from Cornell University. Of particular interest is the list of 13 fire hazards present that day, violations that would ultimately cost 146 people their lives.

Since we know that most of you, our readers, are interested in important subjects that impact the workplace, we invite you to share comments on this issue with others. One or more of the issues that you may want to comment on include:

- management’s endorsement and support of safety programs,
- the inclusion of employee ideas in the planning and operation of safety programs,
- the importance, if any, of collecting data over time,
- the importance of regularized training and education,

or, of course, any other aspect of the issue. Thank you for sharing your ideas.