Workplace casualties continue unbridled at ship-breaking yards in Chittagong posing a great risk to Bangladesh’s image in the global sector.
According to Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), 18 ship-breakers died while 11 others sustained injuries in 13 workplace accidents, which took place from January till October 16 this year.
In 2018, 18 ship-breakers died and 12 others were injured in 17 workplace accidents.
The DIFE lodged 29 cases in total against the ship-breaking yards with the labour court from January 2018 till now.
According to Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) defending worker rights and protecting the environment, 21 workers died and 38 others sustained injuries at the ship breaking yards from January to October 16 of this year.
Recent deaths at ship-breaking yards
In the wake of the recent workplace accidents, the operational activities of the ship-breaking yard have temporarily been suspended at Ziri Subedar and OWW ship-breaking yards.
On October 12, two workers died after inhaling toxic gas while working at OWW ship-breaking yard at Kumira area.
On October 7, a cutter man died while dismantling a ship at HM ship-breaking yard.
On August 31, two workers died while dismantling a ship at Ziri Subedar ship-breaking yard at Baro Awlia area.
On July 31, three workers died after inhaling toxic fumes while dismantling an oil-tanker at Ziri Subedar ship-breaking yard.
Ship-breaking yards hardly follow safety standards
Tapan Dutta, convener of Ship-breaking Workers’ Trade Union Forum, alleged that the workplace casualty occurs as most of the ship-breaking yards hardly follow occupational safety standards.
“Each ship brought in for recycling purposes must be disposed of its hazardous elements as per Hong Kong Convention 2009.”
“However, it is hardly followed. That’s why ship breakers often get infected with critical diseases while coming into contact with toxic elements. Impoverished ship breakers take this hazardous job as they have no other options, and yard owners take advantage of the situation,” Tapan added.
Causes of casualties
After analyzing yard accidents over the years, it has been found that workers mostly die from explosions or after coming into contact with toxic materials from ships.
Accidents, including inhaling dangerous substances like carbon monoxide or falling from dizzying heights with no safety harness, are major causes of workplace injuries in the ship-breaking industry.
Other causes of workplace casualties include workers getting crushed by falling steel beams and heavy plates, as well as cylinder, boiler, and generator explosions and electrical shocks.
Strict enforcement of law is must
Muhammad Ali Shahin, senior program coordinator of YPSA, told the rising workplace casualties would jeopardize the image of ship-breaking yards at home and abroad.
“The alarming rise in accidents points to the poor occupational safety standards at ship-breaking yards. The ship-yards must emerge as green ship-yards and an action plan involving all the stakeholders is a must to strictly enforce the laws here," Shahin said, who has been working in the ship-breaking sector for almost 18 years.
BSBRA working to bring down casualties
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Md Abu Taher, president of Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA), said they were trying their level best to reduce the number of workplace casualties at ship-breaking yards.
“We are providing the workers with necessary safety gears. We are also imparting training to the workers through three safety agencies,” Taher said.
According to BSBRA, out of 160 ship-breaking and recycling yards in Chittagong, only 60-65 yards are now in operation on the 25km strip of Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong.
Ship-breaking, a major occupational problem
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), ship-breaking has become a major occupational and environmental health problem in the world.
It is amongst the most dangerous of occupations, with unacceptably high levels of fatalities, injuries, and work-related diseases.
Ship-breaking is a difficult process due to the structural complexity of ships, and generates many environmental, safety, and health hazards.
It is done largely by the private sector and is rarely subject to safety controls or inspection.
It also gives limited access to health services and adequate housing, welfare, and sanitary facilities further exacerbating the plight of workers.
