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Safety problems of garments worker and prevention

Technical Report · August 2011

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3753.8722

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Safety problems of garments worker and

prevention

2011

SHAHJALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SYLHET

 Page 2 of 19

Abstract

This paper discusses in brief the problem of health and safety issues of worker in garment
industries in Bangladesh based upon the industry environment, their working environment,
working condition, age, problem of health, causes of diseases, causes of fire accident and
their medical facilities. Most of the information of this project paper has collected by
interviewing workers of several garments industry in Gajipur, & Nariongong Bangladesh and
from the articles of newspaper.
 Page 3 of 19

Name of the project:

Safety problems of garments worker and prevention

 Objectives of the project:

1. To understand the basic safety issue of garments workers.

2. To find out the common problems in garments industries.
3. To list out the common Diseases of garments workers.
4. Try to solve the problem with available technology.
5. To frame out guidelines for building proper Health & Safety plan for garments
manufactures.

Introduction: Garment manufacturing, like other industrial processes, can be hazardous

work. It is necessary for employers and workers to be aware of the hazards associated with
garment manufacturing and take precautions to guard against work-related illnesses and
injuries. In-fact, all the garment factories are located in the residential and commercial area of
Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Tongi, Gazipur, Saver etc. Besides, most of the garment
factories hardly comply with safety rules. So, naturally the garments workers have to suffer a
lot of occupational accidents. The occupational health and safety condition of the workers
belonged to the industry, is getting more critical and complicated gradually. Devastating fire
also destroys huge wealth of garment industry which creates a great problem for buyers and a
bad impact in the national economy.

Figure: A typical workers Figure: An injured worker

 Basic safety issue1:

1. Respiratory protection
2. Eye protection
3. Heat stress protection
4. Fire protection
5. Training program
6. Finger protection
7. Proper lighting
8. Ergonomic design of the work station.
9. Awareness.
10. First aid medicine
 Page 4 of 19

Above safety issues should follow by the garments industry to ensure the workers safety.

 Present condition of garments industry with respect to workers safety:

In present most of the garments industry don’t show much concern about the basic safety
issue of garments worker. For this reason many unexpected accident occur frequently and
causes huge losses of both workers and to owners.

Recently we’ve an opportunity to meet several workers of different garments industry the
summary of the interview is given bellow,

We: Mr. “X” how are you?

Worker: I’m so so, what about you?

We: We’re fine. We’re conducting a project about the “Safety problems of
garments worker and prevention” & we’d like to ask you some question about
your garments life, can you please help us with it?

Worker: Sure.

We: How long you have been working in this sector? And what is your job title?

Worker: About 5 years and I am working as a machine operator.

We: Have you face any health related problem after joining with this job?

Worker: Yes, I think; I am losing my hearing problem and sleeping problem.

We: What about your collages and friends?

Worker: Yes, my friend facing many other problems like Asthma, Eye problems, Skin
problem, back pain, headaches.

We: Do you get any personal protective equipment like apron, shoe, globes,
googols, ear plugs from your organization?

Worker: Not much. I received an apron but it is now un-wearing condition.

We: Do you receive any training program about health and fire safety?

Worker: Not at all!

We: Thank you for your time.

Worker: You’re welcome.

(This conversation has been taken from the workers of Akij garments industry Ltd. Fokira
industry Ltd, Nariongong)
 Page 5 of 19

 Analysis and suggestion regarding improvement of safety issue

Some Common Problems in garments industries: Safety need for the worker is
mandatory to maintain in all the organization. But without the facility of this
necessary product a lot of accident is occur incurred every year in most of the
company. We can regroup the problem in two categories;
1. Health problems. 2. Safety problems.
 For Health:
(i) Not enough congenial and hygienic working atmospheres in industry
(ii) Sexual harassment by lineman, supervisor and manager to the female workers
(iii) Not enough toilet and washroom facilities
(iv) Pure water is not available for drinking and washing for workers
(v) Discrimination in wages fixation and other facilities between male & female
workers
(vi) No weekly holiday for female workers. If so, then without pay.
(vii) No recreation facilities for workers
(viii) No baby care center for female workers.

Some Common injury of garments worker2: Here we’ve listed some common
injury of garments worker.

Injury Reason

Asthma Ignorance in using mask during and when

handling cotton and other dust material.
Eye problems Working at low light environment and
shortage of available eye protective glass.
Cumulative trauma disorder Force, lifting, prolonged sitting.
Bladder cancer No protection in using dyes.
Hearing loss Noise

Skin disorder Frequently handle chemical & other dust

material without wearing gloves and apron.
 Page 6 of 19

 For Safety:
(i) Not enough fire exit doors and ventilation for air circulation of industry building
(ii) It is found that most of the garment industries do not use safety sign
according to the ILO conventions.
(iii) Most of the fire and smoke alarm bells does not work in garment industries and
(iv) Many garment industries does not have fire and smoke alarm systems.
(v) Routes are blocked by storage materials.
(vi) Machine layout is often staggered.
(vii) No provision for emergency lighting.
(viii) Doors, opening along escape routes, are not fire resistant.
(ix) Doors are not self-closing and often do not open along the direction of escape.
(x) Adequate doors as well as adequate staircases are not provided to aid quick exit.
(xi) Fire exit or emergency staircase lacks proper maintenance.
(xii) Lack of proper exit route to reach the place of safety
(xiii) Parked vehicles, goods and rubbish on the outside of the building obstruct exits to
the open air.
(xiv) Fire in a Bangladesh factory is likely to spread quickly because the principle of
Compartmentalization isn’t practiced.
(xv) Lack of awareness among the workers and the owners.

Suggestions regarding health problem in workstation:

Here we’ve listed some vital suggestion regarding health problem.

1. Respiratory & hand protection.

2. Eye protection.
3. Heat stress protection.
4. Supply pure drinking water.
5. Training program for health
safety issue.
6. Setup adequate amount of wash
Rooms for the worker.
7. Ensure recreation facility for
Workers. Figure: A health friendly garments industries.
8. Setup baby care center for the female worker.
9. Setup medical center for first aid treatment.
 Page 7 of 19

Policy Measures: Following policy measures may solve the problems of occupational
illness and diseases prevalent among the garment workers.

• Introduction of a two shift working system

• Implementation of labor laws
• Health insurance program
• Supply of iron and vitamin tablet
• Supply staff amenities and launching of advocacy program of cleanliness
• Providing health facilities within the Factory
• Raising of awareness about occupational hazards
• Training for fire fighting
• Setting up of garment village

 Respiratory& hand protection: Chemicals play a part in garment manufacturing.

Dyes, enzymes, solvents, and other chemicals are used to create different fabric
finishes and durability. So, proper ventilation, respiratory protection and other
personal protective equipment are important to protect workers during chemical
processing.

Figure: An unhealthy dyeing process without using any protective equipment.

 Page 8 of 19

Figure2: A worker with proper Figure: A worker is handling dying material

respiratory protective equipment. by using gloves

 Ensure the supply of pure drinking water: “Water is life”. But in many industries
there is no proper supply of pure drinking water. That’s why the workers drink
unhealthy water and suffer from various diseases. So the industries should have the
proper supply of pure drinking water to their workers.

 Heat stress protection: Because a garment factory uses many heated processes, it is
important for workers to avoid heat stress by labeling and guarding hot surfaces and
drinking plenty of water during their shift. Proper ventilation can help to reduce
ambient temperatures and ensure worker comfort.

Ventilator

Figure: A good garments industry having proper ventilation system.

 Page 9 of 19

 Setup medical center for first aid treatment: In our survey we found that most of
garment industries have no designated first aid sections clearly marked. But this
section should have well stocked cabinet of medicines and bandage because many
small accidents in garment industries can be dealt with immediately. So both male and
female workers should be trained in basic first aid treatment and it is ensured to
present in every shift especially at night.

Figure: Medical Centre

 Page 10 of 19

 Training program: There is no alternative to training to any types of work in order

to train up the worker to fit in the job for which he/she has been employed. Most of
the garment workers who work in many factories are not that skilled to do the job as
required by the management; as a result in most cases the product produced are of
inferior quality.

Figure: A basic training program for the garments worker

 Adequate wash room for the worker: In most case of our garments industries don’t
have proper sanitation system and sufficient toilet for the worker that’s why dysentery
and other related diseases are often found.

Figure: A typical of unhealthy wash room for the Figure: Healthy wash room for the workers
worker
 Page 11 of 19

 Recreation facility for the worker: In order to remove monotonousness from work it
is very essential to setup recreation facility for the workers. It reduces psychological
cost from worker.

Figure: Example of recreation facility for the worker

 Baby care center for the female worker: As most of our garment workers are
women, they have to carry their small new born child to the factories as there is no
one to look after these children at home. As their no baby care facilities in most of our
factories these workers have to face untold sufferings; carrying their children in their
lap in severe cold and severe heat during hot season, exposing the children to severe
health hazard. Management has to look into this particular problem by making special
facilities so that these particular workers have this facility for their uninterrupted
routine work in their factories.

Figure: A mother with her new born baby.

 Page 12 of 19

Suggestions regarding safety problems in garments industries: We can

regroup safety problem in two categories like

1. Fire safety and

2. Mechanical safety.

 Fire Accidents in Garment Industries3: Since 1990, over 350 workers have
died and some 1500 injuries in fire related incidents in garments industries in
Bangladesh. Till 2000, there were more than hundred fires in industries in
Bangladesh. More than 5000 workers were killed. Table shows that some recent fire
accidents in garments factories in Bangladesh. Data shows in table 8 indicate the
casualties of workers in garment industries due to fire. It is seen from the dead
column in table 10 that workers of both sexes are the casualties of fire.

Date Place Dead Injured Cause of Fire Cause of death

02-03-2010 Garib&Garib Sweater 21 50 Short Circuit Exit was locked so

Factory at Gazipur. workers became trapped
on the floors above
23.02.06 KTS Textiles, Chittagong 91 400 Short circuit Only exit was blocked by
boxes, smoke and
stampede
06.03.06 Industry at Gazipur 3 ---- Fire panic Stampede
Mar. 06 Salem Fashion Wear Ltd. 3 50 Unknown Only exit was blocked by
boxes, smoke &stampede
03.05. 04 MiscoSuper Market, Dhaka 9 50 False fire alarm Stampede
01.08.01 Kafrul 26 76 Unknown Smoke and stampede
08.08. 01 Mico Sweater Ltd. Mirpur 28 100 Unknown Single exit locked
2000 ChowdhuryKnitwear, 54 200 Short Circuit Fire, smoke and stampede
Norshingdi
2000 Near the Capital 48 70 Boiler burst Trapped in locked
burning industry
28.08.00 A garment in Banani 12 45 Unknown Suffocation, stampede
27-08-2000 Globe Knitting Ltd. Banani, 12 50 Fire from wear Exit was locked.
Dhaka house.
09-07-99 Rose Garments Ltd. Tongi, 5 50 Electric Short Victim of fire
Gazipur Circuit
22-06-99 Palmal Garments Ltd. 10 --- Boiler Burst Victim of bursting
Uttara, Dhaka
06-09-97 Novaly Garment Ltd. 5 50 Electric Short Victim of fire
Rasulbagh, Dhaka Circuit
30-07-97 Shanghai Fashion Ltd, 27 100 Electric Short Exit was locked
Mirpur-1 Dhaka Circuit
15-07-97 Rahman&RahmanApparels 22 200 Electric Short Victim of fire and short
Ltd. Mirpur,Dhaka Circuit circuit.
 Page 13 of 19

 Fire hazards in garments industry, some mishaps4: Because of using too

much flammable material like cotton and other chemical in garments industry
there is a great probability of getting fire any time if the maintenance is poor. In
bellow we present some case studies,

* On March 2010, in the incident of fire in Garib and Garib Sweater Factory killed at least 21
workers and injured a further 50.The fire, seemingly caused by an electrical short circuit,
started on the first floor of the seven story building at 9.30pm on Thursday February 25. As
the fire spread, workers became trapped on the floors above.

It appears, from witness statements and press reports, that emergency exits were blocked, the
front gate was locked and fire extinguishing equipment was either missing or inappropriate.

Figure: Garib & Garib Sweater factory - March 2010 Figure: The fire, seemingly caused by an electrical
short circuit, started on the first floor of the seven
story building
According to one survivor, rescue efforts were further hampered by the fact that firemen had
to cut the window grills to access the building and rescue the trapped workers. No-one on the
scene could tell fire fighters how many workers were in the factory at the time the fire began.

* 91 killed in a fire in KTS textile mill, Chittagong, February 23, 2006. At least 500 workers
were inside the mill when the fire broke out. Most of the survivors had to jump from
windows as the only exit from the factory was reportedly locked when the fire broke out late
on a Thursday night. No representatives of the KTS Textile Mills were available for
comment. Most of the victims were women, trapped by the flames or suffocated from smoke
inhalation. The fire might have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The explosion of a
boiler escalated the blaze. The fire had spread quickly through the building because of stacks
of yarn piled up on the floors.
 Page 14 of 19

Figure: KTS textile mill accident, Chittagong, February

23, 2006

* March, 2006, three female workers were killed and 50 were injured in the Saiem Fashion
Ltd fire and the subsequent stampede to escape the burning building. The only exit to the
factory was deliberately blocked by boxes

* On May 3rd 2004, nine women were trampled to death and 50 others injured when they ran
for their lives after a false fire alarm atomics Super Market, Dhaka. 3,000 to 5,000 workers
from five garment factories jam-packed in the Masco Supermarket complex in Dhaka,
Bangladesh While some of the workers exited through the fire escapes, most workers took
the main stairway to the front gate of the building, where they found the gate locked

* On the morning of August 8, 2001, in Dhaka's Murmur area. At 9am, a worker at Mica
Sweater Ltd., on the seventh floor of the building, sounded the alarm after seeing flames
shooting from the electric circuit board. Workers from five different units converged on the
stairs, but found the single exit locked and the security guard absent. In the resulting
stampede, twenty four workers died and over one hundred were injured.

* 26 killed in a fire in a garments fire in Kafrul, August 01, 2001

* On 6 March, 2006, 3 more garment workers were killed in a stampede from a fire panic at a
Gazipur garment factory, near Dhaka.
 Page 15 of 19

* A fire occurred on November 25, 2000at the Chowdhury Knitwear and Garments Ltd
factory in Norshingdi. Some 600 workers who were working at the time surged towards the
single narrow staircase, but found both the main gate and the emergency gates locked. Most
of the 46 victims died of suffocation or were crushed to death in the panic.

 Suggestions Regarding Fire Safety: We need to remember that when there is a fire,
the first thing one should do is to run away from it. And this is what everyone does in such a
situation. But the situation become dangerous and tragic when the escape doorways and gates
are found locked (i.e. accident in KTS Textile Industries in Chittagong).Precautionary
should need to be adopted are given below:
1. Building should be constructed with fire resisting materials.
2. Announce the facility as a smoke free zone.
3. Adequate exits and proper escape routes should be designed
4. Protection against fire and smoke should be ensured.
5. Electrical wiring must be properly designed, installed and maintained.
6. All electrical cables shall be so laid that they can be easily inspected or
maintained.
7. Safety switches shall be provided on four corners of the working floor.
8. Indicating lamps (red and green) shall be provided in the operator’s cabin.
9. Escape routes should be lighted at all times, kept clear be indicated by signs.
10. Regular fire drills should be held.
11. Doors should be protected and should open along the direction of escape.
12. Doors should not open on the steps and sufficient space should be provided.
13. Smoke/Fire alarm systems must be installed.
14. Prior relationship with local Fire services should be established.
15. Proper exit sign and safety sign should be applied in appropriate areas of the
industry.
16. All the buildings of garment industries should have proper announcement system
as to how to get out of building.

 Suggestion regarding in use of mechanical instrument: This section focuses

on general safety issues encountered in garments industries. Programs such as hazard
communication and material safety data sheets, hearing conservation, reproductive
hazards, garments workstation to avoid injuries, selecting the appropriate protective
equipment for a job and indoor environmental quality are detailed bellow.
 Page 16 of 19

 Proper lighting: Proper lighting is very important factor for the worker to continue
the work safely and efficiently. Many times it has been seen that garments floor are
not properly illuminated but randomly lighted. This cause the extra pressure in eyes
and this impact to the production rate in the garments

Figure: This industry is not properly lighted for carrying out work

 Ergonomic design in work station: Most of the garments in Dhaka city are not well
designed to carry out work also they have very few emergency exits and some time it
is completely absent in the workstation. This is because of scarcity of place in Dhaka.
Although there is government rule for garments designing but it is often violated.

Figure: special ergonomic designed sewing machine Figure: Generally used sewing machine
 Page 17 of 19

 Finger protection: A garments worker work most of the time in close contact of the
needle and other sharp object. So there is a great possibility of getting injured to hand
and fingers so workers need to furnished with finger protective equipment

Figure5: A garments worker working in a sewing machine without any figure protection.

 Eye protection: Because much of garment work involves close viewing of the
garment, eye protection is critical. Garment workers can avoid eye injuries by using
proper shields on high speed sewing machinery or safety glasses where appropriate.
Also, adequate task lighting at individual work stations can prevent eye strain.

Figure: A worker is working in very close to sewing Figure: A sample googols that can
machine without using any eye protection prevent eye strain to the worker
 Page 18 of 19

 Ensure the use of apron in workstation: An apron is an outer protective garment

that covers primarily the front of the body. It may be worn for hygienic reasons as
well as in order to protect clothes from wear and tear. The apron is commonly part of
the uniform of several work categories, including waitresses, nurses, and domestic
workers. So by ensuring the use of apron the employer can prevent their worker form
unexpected injury from various cutting tool.

Figure6: Garments worker without any apron Figure: Garments worker with apron (square
garments industry Ltd.)

 Awareness: There is a proverb “Prevention is better than cure” so it is very good

idea to create awareness among the worker and also to the owner of garments
industries. If we able to create awareness among the workers and owners then the
injure rate will must decrease effectively.
 Benefits of organization by increasing safety of workers:

 Reduced loss of production due to accidents, illness etc.

 Reduced compensation for accident & illness etc.
 Minimize the damage of assets due to accident.
 Increased productivity
 Reduced worker fatigue
 Greater job satisfaction
 Improved product quality
 Increased goodwill

 Conclusion: The garment industry of Bangladesh has been the key export division
and a main source of foreign exchange for the last 25 year & workers are the driving
force of it, so we should think about their safety to protect them from unexpected
accidents. The basic cause of industrial accident can be attributed to the unplanned
and unsystematic set up of factories. Most of the factories have been housed in a
clumsy condition which is very risky and hazardous working environment to workers.
References:
 Page 19 of 19

1. http://www.statefundca.com/safety/safetymeeting/SafetyMeetingArticle.aspx?Arti
cleID=52
2. http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/safety/publications/publications.htm
3. www.ifc.org/ifcext/sustainability.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/gui_EHSGuidelines200
7_GeneralEHS_1-8.htm
4. Fire Safety in garments industry: Design matters, The Daily Star, June 2010,Page
No. 13.
5. The Daily Star, June 2010, Page No. 13
6. Akij garments industry Ltd.
7. Fokira industry Ltd, Nariongong.

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