Make factories jolt-ready to ensure workers' safety: BGMEA

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today suggested its members strengthen the structural safety of factory buildings considering the recent back-to-back earthquakes in the country.

Since a large number of people work in the factories, if needed, the structural safety of the buildings should be reinforced, the association said in the notice.

Many installed machines in the factories create significant vibration in the buildings, the BGMEA said.

Any damage to boilers, lifts, generators, substations and other machinery may lead to fatal disasters, and many workers and employees may become victims of death and injury.

The major aftershock of the earthquake poses a serious threat to the lives and assets of the factories, and members should remain cautious.

Therefore, the BGMEA requested members to have their factory buildings inspected by experts and engineers to determine whether there are any cracks.

The trade body also suggested members have their lifts, boiler rooms, generator rooms, substations and other essential machinery tested by experts and engineers.