<P> Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits -- a then - common practice to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to reduce theft -- many of the workers who could not escape from the burning building jumped from the high windows . The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies ' Garment Workers ' Union ( ILGWU ) , which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers . </P>
how did the triangle shirtwaist fire affect the international ladies garment workers in new york
helped spur the growth