Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

On March 25, 1911, a devastating fire erupted in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, claiming the lives of 146 garment workers. The victims were trapped inside the building due to locked exit doors and inadequate fire safety measures. This tragedy spurred a wave of reforms in the U.S., including the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico led to 11 deaths and a massive oil spill with extensive environmental and economic consequences. Investigations revealed that insufficient training and poor safety practices were key factors in the disaster. This incident prompted reforms within the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service.

Mount Everest Tragedy

In 2019, 11 climbers perished on Mount Everest due to overcrowding, inexperienced commercial operators, and inadequate training. Veteran climber David Morton highlighted in a CNN interview that “the major problem is inexperience, not only of the climbers that are on the mountain but also the operators supporting those climbers.” This tragedy underscored the need for better regulation, training for climbers, and a deeper respect for environmental limits amidst the increasing commercialization of Everest.