25pc of BUET-surveyed units have structural flaws

About 25 per cent of 252 garment factories surveyed by BUET teams were found to have structural flaws and 4.0 per cent of them might require evacuation.

The BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) team in its findings is likely to recommend suspension of production in 10 assessed readymade garment (RMG) units, they said.
"Of the 252 factories, about 25 per cent are in relatively risky conditions in terms of structural integrity," a source involved in the process told the FE Monday.
Of these units, the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) is needed for about 53 factories within six weeks. The rest would be forwarded to the official review committee for production suspension, the source said citing its initial assessment report.
The BUET has already submitted its findings on 50 surveyed garment factories to the government while its report on the rest would be submitted shortly.
"Of the 50 factories, the teams recommended DEA for six manufacturing units as they have fire, electrical and structural faults," the Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments said.
There are no 'red-marked' factories among the 50, he added.
The six factories are Intraco Fashion Ltd, Husham Dresses Ltd, BP Garments Ltd, ABA Fashion, Fashion Point and Sajib Fashion Wear.
The recommended DEA included built drawing, soil investigation, concrete test, floor scan and model of the factory building to find which column/structural element needs to be retrofitted.
A BUET professor, also involved in the process, said most of the factories lack fire and electrical safety measures.
He said many factories do not have adequate fire extinguishers and lack capacity for regular use of those equipment. These units also do not have appropriate stairs or have narrow ones, and lack water reserves and fire doors or have no fire door at all.
Fire can occur from any object, and there are also obstacles surrounding many factories. If any fire breaks out, the Fire Service people will not be able to reach those units smoothly, he opined.
The government, in association with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is carrying out the project to inspect about 1,200-1,500 garment factories that remain outside the inspection purview of Accord or Alliance.
The BUET has been assessing these garment factories since November 15 last.
On October 22, the government and the ILO launched the $24.21 million initiative -- including the new Better Work Programme -- to improve working conditions in the readymade garment industry in Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, formed by the European Union retailers, and Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative by North American retailers, also have started their inspection programmes.
Accord is expected to inspect 1,800 factories, while Alliance will do the same in about 700 apparel units.