100 Years ago was the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.
This info graphic shows some of the safety improvements after the International Ladies Garment Workers Union pushed for improvements.
Now I know many people are wondering how this relates to VFX.
The first point being that many companies do not put welfare and safety of their workers high on the list. This includes not only some developing nations but the U.S. as well. Watch the Triangle video through for examples. The reason why there are now laws and why companies are being pushed into doing this is because workers organized. And now companies are pushing back and lobbying state and federal politicians to reduce worker welfare, increase hours children can work and reducing water quality regulations among other things. You as an individual have little say in how a company will operate unless you own the company or unless you are part of a group that can push for change.
The second point being that in VFX it is not unusual to work a lot of long hour days.
A few years ago, Brent Hershman, a camera assistant, died by falling asleep while driving home after yet another 19 hour day. That resulted in Academy Award winning Cinematographer Haskell Wexler making the film Who Needs Sleep.
(Please watch this trailer. I think you'll see some overlap)
(Please watch this trailer. I think you'll see some overlap)
It also resulted in a push to cap hours to 14 hours maximum.
[Update 1/11/2014 Full film available online: Who Needs Sleep ]
What the Triangle Shirtwaist fire means for workers now
