The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, a platform of the North American retailers, has launched a programme styled “Training of the Trainers (ToTs)” by providing fire safety training to the factory security guards.
The initiative has been undertaken to protect the life of RMG workers through safety evacuation and to support emergency evacuation.
The critical need for training came on the spotlight following fire incident at Tazreen Fashions that killed 112 workers as the ill-fated workers were unable to escape from the disastrous fire due to the locked exit doors, said Ian Spaulding, chief executive officer of Alliance at a media briefing held at his office in the city yesterday.
“Security guards can play a leadership role in ensuring safe evacuation during a fire incident by clearing pathways and exits, supporting fire brigades and assisting with worker evacuation process,” said Ellen Tauscher, independent chair of the Alliance.
“This training will empower factory guards with knowledge and skills that can ultimately save lives.”
Managing Director of Alliance M Rabin said, “There will have no collapsible gate in the RMG factories as through the remediation it would be replaced by fire rated doors by 2015.”
A security guard has to keep in mind three things prevention, protection and evacuation, said workplace fire safety expert David Gold, who designed the training curriculum.
Security guards need to be knowledgeable, skilled and confident in case of fire. The main task of a security guard is to ensure safe evacuation of workers instead of locking the fire exits, hearing the fire alarm, he added.
“I am delighted to know about these new safety trainings and practices,” said Sabina, a survivor of the Tazreen fire.
She, however, urged the factory owners and guards not to lock exit doors at any cost during any fire incident.
The course materials have been designed in line with the NFPA Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention and are currently being accredited through the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
The safety training programme will be implemented through a third-party trainers and security guard company, who has been specially qualified will conduct the training.
Elite Force, Security Link, G4S, Securex and Shohag Security service will be included in the training process.
To complement the security guard training, factory managers will also participate in shorter sessions to build awareness and support for the role of security guards in protecting workers.
Meanwhile, the Alliance is organizing the 2nd Expo on Building and Fire Safety, on December 7-9 to connect RMG factory owners with vendors of life-saving equipments like fire doors, sprinkler systems and fire alarms necessary for factory remediation.