Recently, a horrible tragedy occurred in Rana Plaza at Savar of Bangladesh where hundreds of workers lost their lives and many were severely wounded as the building collapsed onto the workforce. The incident has drawn global attention on safety standard issues in Bangladesh.
About four million workers work in Bangladesh's garment industry. As a result, Bangladesh's garment business is booming to $19 billion a year industry. It has been the world's biggest exporter of clothing after China. Despite this fact, the wages of the Bangladesh workers are very low. Some of them earn $38 a month which Pope Francis labeled as that of 'slave labour.'
Western as well as American retailers are concerned about the workers' safety in Bangladesh. They are thinking to withdraw their orders to buy garments from Bangladesh. If it happens in the near future, it would jeopardise the garment industry of Bangladesh, render millions jobless and finally, it would have a negative impact on our national economy.
As it is still a developing country, it is not possible for Bangladesh to arrange the same safe working standards like those in the developed countries. Developed countries are getting cheapest apparels in Bangladesh. Therefore they can part with a little of their profits so as to help ensure safe working standards in Bangladesh. The followings can be the helpful hints:
1. Every workplace in Bangladesh needs to organise its own safety team which will take every precautionary measure for safe and positive work environment following with leader and members of the safety teams. They will make regular inspections of workplaces and hold regular safety meetings and notify management if further safety programmes or improvements are needed.
2. Prior to work, back stretch, shoulder stretch and knee touch are necessary for workers to keep their health and mind sound.
3. Back support belt helps physique for lifting weighty matters. When lifting the load, bend at the knee and keep back straight as you stand up. During turning, don't twist your back instead pivot your feet in the direction you are moving.
4. Good housekeeping practices can help prevent potential safety hazards.
5. Safety sweeps are necessary to clear potential hazards on the floors of workplace.
6. Inspect ladder prior to use. Do not use broken ladder that may cause instability and fall. Use the right ladder for the job.
7. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) minimises potential hazards. Use PPE such as goggles, safety glasses, apron, mask or mouth barrier or face shield, gloves or vinyl or latex gloves, hair nets, etc. PPE can be used with potential bloodborne pathogens which we may observe human blood and bodily fluids at workplace. These fluids can cause diseases including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficieny Virus (HIV). So, never touch human blood, bodily fluids with your bar hands. Wear vinyl or latex gloves to deal with bloodborne pathogens. Keep your hands away from face especially from nose and eyes.
8. Use safety box cutter properly. Always inspect sharp objects and do not pick up broken glass directly with your hands. Use gloves and dustpan. Always wash your hand after the job done.
9. Extreme weather conditions can affect a worker's safety. During extreme heat, workers need to drink adequate water in preventing dehydration or other serious conditions. Wear loose, light-coloured cloth and a hat or a cap when you are in the outdoor. If necessary, take adequate breaks. During extreme cold, workers need to wear adequate cloth and footwear for protection against cold. Extreme cold weather can give the experiences of frostbite, hypothermia and slippery wet conditions.
10. Every worker is responsible for safe electrical practices including safe use of extension cords and other electrical equipment. Extension cords should not run through ceiling tiles or doorways and do not plug multiple appliances into an extension cord such as lamps or TVs. Plug multiple power stripes into each other.
11. Shut down machine before cleaning, repairing or leaving. Do not use loose clothing or jewelry around machinery.
12. Fire doors must be cleared inside and outside at all times. Never block an exit.
13. Do not block access to the fire extinguishers.
14. Both parking lot and back lot of a workplace should be freed of debris.
15. Workers have rights to know about the hazardous communications in the workplaces. These are spill cleans up for hazardous materials, unknown products, non-hazardous materials and flammable liquids, and approved absorbent, proper handling of leaking and aerosol containers, empty container processing and disposal, chemical bags, liners, liner tags, hazardous waste labels and son on.
16. Workplace can introduce computer assisted learning (CAL) programmes both for workers and management staff about the various safety programmes of the workplace.
