So wait, let me get this straight.
The unsafe working conditions were due to negligence? Not the unsophistication of the emerging technology. And no factory owners would have upgraded their technology, if it hadn't been for safety regulations? So, Mr. Smith would have kept his outdated, slower machinery, when Mr. Frank upgraded to newer, safer, more productive machinery and starting putting Mr. Smith out of business? Competition doesn't drive innovation which in turn also drives up safety?
And why is it, that with all these regulations, minimum wage increase, safety requirements, that every US company doesn't just do the bare minimum? How do you explain better working conditions/wages/safety/benefits etc. across American companies? Surely they'd all just offer minimum wage and shit benefits and working conditions if they're all assholes and only must do as much as the regulations require them no?