Safety Law in Bangladeshi Factories- Conflict Between Law and Reality

by mdrkarim7 in Issues, September 30, 2011

So many rules and laws are there but who is heeding!

Safety law in Bangladeshi Factories- Conflict between law and reality.

Md. Rezaul Karim, Assistant Professor, Southern University Bangladesh

Regarding the Safety Issues the Law have specific directions and rules with clear responsibilities that every factory owners must comply with. But normally to save the cost and more profit the safety law and rights of workers are overlooked in Bangladesh, generally speaking.

It is responsibility of the occupier having ultimate control over the affairs of the Factory or the managing agent.

Section / Act

Rules

Section 22 Precaution in case of fire:

1. Fire escape – as prescribed in rule.

2. Inspector to order specifically

3. While people at work, no door shall be locked. All doors outwards open or open towards next escape.

4. All fire exits be marked by language or signs in big red letters.

5. Fire warning audible to every person working.

6. Free passage giving access to escape from every room.

Section

7. 10workers or more employed above ground floor or explosives or highly inflammable materials used/ stored employees must know the danger, have routine training to escape.

Read more in Issues

« Unwritten Rules: Cultures, Norms, Expected Behaviors, and Social Values

Part Ii of an Inconvenient Truth »

8. Govt. may make rules.

Section

Sec. 23. Fencing of Machinery:

1) Safeguarding by fencing is required for a) every prime mover, fly wheel b) head rack, tail rack of water wheel and turbine.

2) Every set screw, bolt, key, revolving shaft, spindle wheel, and the like must be fenced.

24. Work on or near machinery in motion only by a trained male adult whose name is in the prescribed register. No child or women can work in moving machinery.

25. Employment of young persons on dangerous machinery. None to work without knowledge of danger, sufficient training. He must be under supervision of adult having through knowledge.

Section

26. Striking gears and devices for cutting off power.

27. Self acting machine.

28. Fencing of new machinery.

29. Prohibition of women and children near cotton opener.

30. Crane and other lifting machinery.

31. Hoists and lifts.

32. Revolving machinery.

33. Pressure plant.

Section

34. Floors, stairs and means of access:

Sound construction and maintained where necessary for safety, steps, stairs, passages gangways provided handrail, safe means of access to every worker.

35. Pits, sumps, opening in floor:

Must be covered or cleaned to avoid danger of falling.

Section

36. Excessive weights:

No load carrying to cause injury.

37. Protection of eyes:

Effective screens of suitable goggles for process involving involving injury of eyes particles or fragments out of process & excessive heat / light.