NFPA: Fire Safety Measures Needed in Bangladesh's Garment Factories

Dhaka (The Daily Star/ANN) - US-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has called for further improvement in fire safety measures in Bangladesh's garment factories.

The non-profit organisation has also suggested short-term and long-term recommendations that provide a roadmap for sustainable electrical, fire and life safety in the apparel units.

The NFPA and the University of Maryland were invited by the Alliance, a platform of 28 North American retailers for factory inspection, to provide an independent review of their factory upgrade programme designed to improve worker safety in Bangladesh.

The Alliance identified a sample of 14 factories currently undergoing remediation in the Dhaka region and arranged for the project team to visit the sites, observe building operations and interview key stakeholders in the building industry.

Based on the activities, the NFPA made recommendations and suggested processes for the Alliance, government officials and other stakeholders to explore or undertake.

The success of the remediation, training and other suggested methods for improvement after the Alliance timeframe expires will depend on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in Bangladesh's garment industry, the NFPA said in its assessment report.

The Alliance has been working hard to meet its goal to create a safe environment for workers in Bangladesh's factories, and its results-oriented process has helped make progress within the industry, said Don Bliss, NFPA's vice-president for field operations. ?Their work clearly aligns with our global mission of helping to save lives and eliminate loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards," he added.

?We believe that improving worker safety in Bangladesh's factories is a moral imperative, and we have made great progress over the last three years in improving factory safety and empowering workers," said Ellen Tauscher, independent chairwoman of the Alliance.

This has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of fires and fire-related deaths in factories between 2012 and 2015, she said. Formed in 1896 by a group of insurance firms, the NFPA is now a trade association that creates codes and standards to minimise the risks and effects of fire.

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