Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) experts have identified two apparel factories as structurally flawed and risky after safety assessment.
They are Hema Sweater in Tongi and Crystal Apparel in Mohakhali. Of them, Crystal Apparel was already closed as the building that housed it was found faulty during an Accord inspection earlier. Accord inspected other three factories in the building used by its signatories. The inspection review panel will decide on Hema Sweater only.
For another 25 factories the BUET team recommended detailed engineering assessment. The factories may need some retrofitting works, the experts said.
The recommendations were made on a report submitted by the BUET inspection team to the Department of Factory Inspection and Establishment (DFIE) after inspection of 252 factories.
“The BUET team has red marked two factories and the review panel will sit tomorrow (today) to take decision on Hema Sweater. Other factory has been already been closed after Accord inspection,” Syed Ahmed, Inspector General of DFIE, told the Dhaka Tribune.
In November last year, the team started inspections to 1,500 factories in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to improve factory safety in Bangladesh.
“Through the inspections, we have been able to identify the fault of RMG factories and can decide how to take initiatives to make the buildings safer,” said Syed Ahmed.
“As per BUET recommendations, we have directed 10 factories to improve safety measures. Follow-up will also be done to see if they have improved or not.”
Commenting on fire and electrical safety, Ahmed said electrical wires in the factories have not been set up in a planned way while the stare cases are not spacious enough to exit safely during emergency.
After Rana Plaza disaster last year, the European retailers' Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the North American retailers' Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety have inspected 600 and 520 factories respectively. The factories were being used by the Western retailers and brands as their source of products.
A total of 19 factories have faced closures after having been found flawed and short of safety measures in the buildings.