Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015

Dhaka, Bangladesh

FIRE SAFETY IN LABOR INTENSIVE SECTOR IN BANGLADESH

Md. Mahadi Hasan1, Dr. Engr. Md Mamunur Rashid2
1
Engineering Department, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA)
2
Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM)
1
mahadi1971@gmail.com, 2mamun87245@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Readymade garments (RMG) sector of Bangladesh have flourished its status globally in
terms of economic contribution and social development through overseas delivery of product by
maintaining ethics. This sector bought blessing and benefits for millions of people all over the country
and this is the mostly labor intensive sector of Bangladesh. Now a day, fire safety is the major concern
issue for RMG sector due to several fire incidents of some readymade garments industry that causes a
huge loss of skilled and non-skilled staff and property also. This paper discusses in brief the fire safety
issues of RGM sector like causes of fire accidents, casualty in RGM factory due to fire, chemistry of
fire, emergency response to fire, health safety matters, work environment of the employee etc.
Keywords: Fire Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Fire, Chemistry of Fire.
1.

INTRODUCTION

Industrialization is an inevitable feature of economic intensification in a developing country. In the

way of employment-intensive industrialization, garments & textile industries are playing an utmost
important role offering tremendous opportunities for the economy of Bangladesh. But, rapid and
unplanned clustered growth of industries leads to adverse health hazard & environmental consequence
in an alarming way. Because, developing countries like Bangladesh, where less attention is paid to
health & environmental protection, safety regulations are not effectively implemented and fully
developed. In this situation, fire safety is highly considered as main safety issue for the labor intensive
industries like garments & textile industries in Bangladesh. Though peoples are concerned about safety
issue, most of the garments & textile industries are trying utmost to meet the obligations by
undertaking proper safety measures regarding this. On the other hand, a large number of factories are
operating without maintaining proper fire safety measures.
Fire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may
result in death, injury or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of an uncontrolled
fire in the event one occurs. Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction
of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to
occupants of the building. Threats to fire safety are referred to as fire hazards. A fire hazard may
include a situation that increases the likelihood a fire may start or may hamper escape in the event a
fire occurs. Developing an organization's specific compliance program that is appropriately tailored to
the nature of an organizations export and re-export activities, an organization can implement an
effective compliance program that works well. Safety practices are the part of compliance which
gradually increase companies goodwill as well as employees satisfaction and fire safety issues are the
most important in compliance management. Every organization needs a safety management plan
(SMP) that uniquely addresses their organization-specific requirements.
Due to high labor intensive in nature, the density of workers in factory floor is very high. This high
density of workers results in a large number of injuries and fatalities in the event of an fire accident. In
order to improve the fire safety in RMG sector of Bangladesh, it is important to understand and
quantify the current state of affair in fire safety of the garments factories in the country. We have to
remember that occupational safety is the fundamental right of every employee. Safety issues are
intrinsically linked with the productivity of the employee.

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

2.

OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH

The objective of this study is to evaluate the vulnerability to fire incidents of the readymade garments
factory employees or workers serving inside buildings at first through literature review and later
evaluating the fire safety issues by conducting field survey. In this study, variables were considered as
per the research objectives. The major objective of the study is to find out the cause of common fire
hazard.

3.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The purpose of this literature review is to gain an understanding of fire safety issues in labor intensive
sectors with concepts, frameworks, strategies and components that are current and emerging in the
field. The crucial elements of a comprehensive fire safety management plan are examined in detail.
Specific information is given on the characteristics of fire safety, existing frameworks, emerging trends
and important considerations.
Zia Wadud, Fuad Yasin Huda and Nizam Uddin Ahmed (2013) conducted a study on assessment of
fire risk in the readymade garment industry in Dhaka city and concluded that in most of the cases Fire
Risk Index (FRI) indicates an alarming situation of the garment of Dhaka city.
Afsana Tazreen and Daniel M. Sabet (2013) stated that providing safety training, purchasing safety
gear and ensuring the use of safety harnesses do not require major investments. Small investments in
worker safety would not only prevent tragedies such as the Tazreen fire, but they could lead to a more
dedicated, productive and efficient workforce.
Md. Jobair B. Alam and George N. Baroi (2003) has completed an assessment of risk of fire hazards in
Dhaka City in GIS framework in order to develop a methodology to generate fire hazard categories and
risk mapping. They also examined the application of computer based fire risk assessment system.
Md. Monowarul Islam and Neelopal Adri (2008) stated that in most cases lack of proper precautionary
measures along with the institutional inefficiency, insufficient equipment support and lack of public
awareness are causing more fire hazard and the situation is being more complex; existing planning
rules and laws are also insufficient in that case.
Fire Inspection & Prevention Initiative (FIPI) in 2013 briefly discussed about the fire safety plan, steps
of fire safety plan and its implementation for industrial occupancies. Here readers can take a clear
guideline about proper planning in order to meet any emergency fire situation.
4.

METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH

The nature of this report is descriptive, so instead of doing any survey or using sampling method,
observation and selective questionnaire method is used to complete this qualitative research. Most of
the necessary information has been collected by physical visit, personal investigation with garments
employees; both descriptive and inferential research were conducted to identify existing practices in
their organization.
The following steps are involved in this researchStep-1: Variable selection
Step-2: Questionnaire Preparation
Step-3: Data Collection
Step-4: Data Processing and Analysis.

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

In the primary stage of this study, secondary data has been collected from the relevant publications,
newspapers and Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Authoritys (BFSCDA) official records.
An in-depth questionnaire survey was carried out in the study area where 45 respondents were selected
randomly for necessary information.
Research area
Recently, fire safety is a major concern issue in all over the country. A multinational RMG industry is
selected to conduct this research in DEPZ, Savar in order to know the safety practices of EPZ
industries of Bangladesh. Basically, an export processing zone (EPZ) is defined as a territorial or
economic enclave in which goods may be imported and manufactured and reshipped with a reduction
in duties and/or minimal intervention by custom officials (World Bank 1999). Dhaka Export
Processing Zone (DEPZ) is located in Ashulia, Savar. It is about 35 kms from Dhaka city centre, 25
kms from Hazrat Shahjalal (R) Airport and 304 Kms from Chittagong Sea Port.
Statistics of accident in rmg industry of bangladesh
Accident in the RGM industry of Bangladesh is a very common issue now. It also found in another
country also. Due to dense employee and lack of lack of safety measures along with awareness,
accidents can occur at any time. From the following secondary data we can easily imagine its intensity
in RMG sector of Bangladesh.
Table-1.1: Statistics of accident in RMG industry of Bangladesh
Year

No. of incidents

Injury

Death

2007

326

NA

NA

2008

89

209

43

2009

293

150

02

2010

220

42

50

Causes of
Accidents
Electrical short
circuit, spark,
cigarette, over
heat, welding
spark etc.

Source: Fire Service and Civil Defense, 2011.

Table-1.2: Statistics of major incidents in RMG sector of Bangladesh

Serial

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Date
11/04/2005
29/06/2009
25/02/2010
14/12/2010
24/11/2012
26/01/2013
24/04/2013

Organization/Incidents
Spectrum Building Collapse
Hamim Group
Garib & Garib Co.
Hamim Group
Tazreen Fashion Ltd.
Smart Exports Garments
Rana Plaza Building collapse

No. of Death
46
24
21
29
111
7
1126

Source: Fire Service and Civil Defense, 2014.

According to the statistics of Fire Service and Civil Defense, on average 70% of all fires in textile and
RMG industry occurred from electrical short circuit, 10% due to cigarette, 8% from other types of
sparks, 5% from welding sparks and 7% due to overheating of equipments. From the above statistics
one can easily identify the present fire safety condition of RMG industries of Bangladesh. But it
mentionable that it is the largest foreign revenue earning sector of Bangladesh which play a vital role in
the contribution of GDP.

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Factors promoting growth of rmg industry

Factors which promoted growth of RMG sector in Bangladesh can be categorized into two groups- 1)
Domestic and 2) External. From practical observations it is shown that domestic factors include cheap
labor, low production cost, local demand, government support, back to back letter of credit, private
entrepreneurship etc. and external factors include quota facility, supply side factors etc.
Concept of fire
Fire is a chemical reaction in which oxygen is combined with a gaseous or vaporous fuel. Fire can
usually take place only when these three elements are present: Oxygen, Fuel and Heat (energy). These
3 elements make up what is commonly called the 'Fire Triangle'.
Laws and regulations for fire safety in rmg
There are sufficient laws and regulations related to fire safety in RMG sector of Bangladesh. But due to
negligence of these laws and regulations, people face fire related incidents. We may take a look in the
fire safety related laws and regulations which is given below:
Fire Prevention and Extinction Act-2003
Fire Services Rules
Bangladesh National Building Code
Bangladesh Labor Act-2006
National Tripartite Plan of Action (Upcoming)
Code of Conduct (CoC) from buyers side.
Major fire related issues
Major fire related issued are indentified from the questionnaire survey in the study area. After
analyzing primary data it is tabulated as below:
Table-1.3: Major fire related issues in RMG sector of Bangladesh
Sl. No.

Issues

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Health-Safety awareness training

Quality of the awareness training
Health and safety policy
Modules and materials for the training
Emergency Response Plan
Training about Emergency Response Plan
Fire Drill
Records of Fire Drill
Availability of equipments and measures
to combat accidents
Fire extinguisher operation training
Availability of fire fighting equipments
Adequacy of fire fighter
Pollution prevention plans
Checking of fire extinguisher
Visible and accessible location of fire
extinguishers
Illuminated exit signs
Emergency light
Unobstructed exit paths
Electrical safety

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

Mechanical Engineering Division

Respondents View (in %)

Yes
No
71
29
33
67
93
7
91
9
93
7
84
16
96
4
67
33
91
9
91
84
57
29
45
60

9
16
43
71
55
40

25
45
65
58

75
55
35
42

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

20
21
22
23
24
25

Ventilation system
Safety sign
Adequate number of stairs
Availability of fire response plan
Training for fire inspection teams and
response personnel?
Solid waste management Policy

35
25
40
25
80

65
75
60
75
20

60

40

Source: Questionnaire Survey, 2014.

Table-1.3 shows that the studied RMG industry of DEPZ try to maintain good practice related to fire
safety issues in most of the cases. But according to the result, they have to develop in some of the cases
and these are- quality of the awareness training, pollution prevention plan, checking of fire
extinguishers, illuminated exit signs, emergency lights, ventilation system, safety signs, number of
stairs and fire response plan.
Causes of fire accidents in rmg sector
Fire is inherently related to garments industry of Bangladesh. The main causes of fire accidents in
RMG sector are- Electric short circuit, Unplanned work environment, Poor building design, Faulty
electrical wiring, Lack of concern of the industry owner, Kitchen stove and carelessness, Smoking
materials etc.
5.

FINDINGS

After the completion of analytical section, the major findings of this research can be listed as below:
Employees are not satisfied with the quality of health and safety awareness training.
Management is not aware enough about the safety issues.
Don't have proper pollution prevention plan which is essential to reduce health hazard.
Exit signs and safety signs are not available and illuminated.
Ventilation system is not adequate for air circulation.
Unavailability of proper fire response plan.

6.

7.

CONCLUSION
We have to ensure the implementation of rules and regulations related to fire safety issues as
soon as possible to reduce the overall fire incidents of RMG industries of Bangladesh. Need to
ensure the public concern also. At the end point of this research, we can say that industries
under EPZ of Bangladesh are more liable to rules and regulations, and also more concern
about fire safety issues than the outside industry.
RECOMMENDATIONS

The main recommendations in relation to this research are given as below:

Proper exit signs and safety signs should be applied in appropriate areas of the industry.
Pollution prevention and fire response plan should be implemented within shortest possible
time.
Proper ventilation system should be install for adequate air circulation.

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

REFERENCES
1. S Akhter, AFM Salahuddin, M. Iqbal, ABMA Malek and N Jahan, Journal of Mechanical
Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010.
2. Adam Charchalis and Stefan Czyz, Journal of KONES Powertrain and Transport, Vol. 18, No.
2, 2011.
3. Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (2013), Retrieve from
http://www.laborrights.org/sites/default/files/publications-andresources/Accord_on_Fire_and_Building_Safety_in_Bangladesh_2013-05-13.pdf.
4. Industrial Operations Fire Prevention Guide-A Publication of the Nation Wildfire
coordinating Group (1999). Retrieve from http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/pms462.pdf.
5. Safety in the RMG Industry in Bangladesh (2013), A Report of a Fact-Finding mission of Fair
Wear
Foundation.
Retrieve
from
http://www.fairwear.org/ul/cms/fckuploaded/documents/fwfpublications_reports/FactfindingmissionBangladesh_2013.pdf.
6. Best Practice Guide to Fire Safety, Fire Industry Association.
Retrieve from
http://www.fia.uk.com/filemanager/root/site_assets/news/fia_best_practice_guide_2014_final
version_46193.pdf.
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International Markets. Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, June 2007.

Authors
Authors Name: Md. Mahadi Hasan
Authors profile: Mr. Md. Mahadi Hasan has born in 1980 at Kushtia district
and he has completed M.Sc in Geography and Environmental Studies from
Rajshahi University in 2005. Now he is serving his duties as a Environment
Counselor cum Inspector at BEPZA under engineering department. Besides
this, he is at the last step in completing PGDHRM degree from Bangladesh
Institute of Management.

Dr. Engr. Md. Mamunur Rashid

Dr. Rashid is Bangladeshi National, Author, Researcher, Academician, Trainer and Consultant. He was born
in November 1, 1970. He has been serving as a Faculty and Management Consultant at Bangladesh Institute
of Management (BIM), Dhaka since 16 February 2004. As a faculty and top level national master trainer he
has been facilitating for the Graduate and Professional training programs more than 100 in the areas of
TQM, HRM, Compliance of ISO9001:2008, SA8000, WRAP, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, Productivity and
Competitiveness, Project Management with MS Project-2007/2013 and Industrial Safety Management . Now
he is as adjunct faculty at Jahangirnagar University and BUP. He also worked as adjunct faculty at IEB, DIU,
BOU, IBAISU, BUBT, BUET, IPM, DIPTI and Planning Academy. Prior this job he worked as a
Mechanical Engineer of Jamuna Fertilizer Company, Bangladesh for around seven years. He obtained BSc in
Mechanical Engineering degree from RUET (erstwhile BITR) in 1993 with 1st class and 8th position, MSc in
Mechanical Engineering degree from BUET in 1996 under NST Fellowship Program of GoB and MBA
degree from BOU in 2004. He completed a Diploma in Computer Science and Applications from BOU, a
PGD in Human Resource Management from IPM with 1st Class and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing
Management from BIM. He completed almost 30 training programs/short courses at local and abroad. He
also completed Management Accounting, Project Management, Technology Management, Safety and
Maintenance Management, Information Technology in Business and Artificial Neural System courses in
Graduate level study at Industrial and Production Engineering Department of BUET, Bangladesh. Now he is
pursuing for LLB degree from National University of Bangladesh. He has around 42 publications in
renowned Journals (20) and International Conferences (22). He also obtained Doctor of Engineering in
Manufacturing Engineering degree under Bangabandhu Fellowship program of GoB at Kitami Institute of
Technology, Japan on March 18, 2013. He also awarded the Scholarship from class IX- Graduation degree
from GoB. His journals are indexing almost Universities of the world. He is life member of the following
professional organization/body: IEB, BSTD and IPM. He is also member of the following professional
organization/body: JSPE, BSME, and BCS. He is the founder and Chairman of Birganj Technical and
Business Management College, Dinajpur since 2002. He can be reached by e-mail:
mamun87245@gmail.com and cell-01712700412.

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh