Global apparel industry nowadays is all about cost-competitiveness and Bangladesh is no exception . The garment industry in the country is characterized by fast production , relying on cheap labour and low production costs to compete with its competitors . In the highly competitive garment manufacturing industry , where the international buyers on one hand are raising the bar in terms of expectations , while on the other , are putting pressure on the manufacturers to reduce the cost of garments , thus becoming critical for the apparel manufacturers Sukesh Ray , CEO , Lightbreeze Technologies and Systems
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The inadequate number of fire extinguishers is one of the major unsafe practices . A fire extinguisher should be provided for each 3,000 sq . feet of the protected building area . |
in the country to upscale their safety standards to stay relevant . This is one of the main challenges due to which the fire and safety practices have not blossomed in Bangladesh .
However , where high death toll from fire incidents reflects not only substandard buildings but also poor emergency procedures , inadequate and blocked fire exits and overcrowded workplaces , garment manufacturers cannot simply get away by blaming anyone but themselves for the disastrous fire safety standards .
There is a famous saying – ‘ Fire destruction is one man ’ s job , fire prevention is everybody ’ s job ’. But is everybody contributing their part in laying a strong foundation for fire safety standards in the Bangladesh ’ garment industry ?
Factories are running operations in more floors than allocated
“ Many factories , which I have visited , continue their operations during both day and night in order to meet the production targets . The establishment of factories or the conversions of residential or commercial buildings into garment factories has often been done as quickly and as cheaply as possible , which results in widespread
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safety problems including faulty electrical circuits , unsafe buildings , inadequate emergency exits and inefficient firefighting equipment .”
Many RMG factories fail to follow even the most basic standards of safety issues because of the fact that the factories have led to the conversion of many buildings , built for other purposes , to be ultimately used as garment factories . These are often built without the required permits and standards from the concerned authorities . A number of factories have constructed unauthorized floors or have increased the workforce and machinery beyond the safe capacity of the building ignoring all the safety aspects .
Fire extinguishers are inadequate and are not found during fire
“ There are such factories also which apply approved stickers on the empty fire extinguishers just to pass the audits and cut the cost .”
The infamous fire accident at Tazreen Fashions ( Dhaka ) in November 2012 , has brought out the hidden issue of the unsafe practices being followed by the garment manufacturers . The inadequate number of fire extinguishers is one of the major unsafe practices . A fire extinguisher should be provided for
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