BANGLADESH FIRE: PROCESS SAFETY MISMANAGEMENT
Bangladesh is becoming a manufacturing powerhouse in South Asia, yet the number of industrial incidents is increasing as industries do not keep with requisite safety and preventive measures. Fire has become a major problem in the garment industry in Bangladesh for more than two decades as it has caused the death and injury of hundreds of workers over the years. On 5th June 2022, a devastating fire broke out at a private container depot in Bangladesh’s Southeastern Chattogram region. At least 50 people have been killed including 9 firefighters. Sadly, almost all the fire incidences are preventable. This disaster reflects the haphazard safety standards that continue to dog the country particularly the lucrative garment export industry.
Bangladesh has a history of industrial disasters as past industrial tragedies were attributed to safety lapses. Between 2004 and 2020, about 2,308 people died of fire incidents. Last year, fire engulfed a food and drink factory killing about 52 people. In February 2019, a blaze ripped through a 400 old area cramped with apartment shops and warehouse in the oldest part of Dhaka and killed at least 67 people. In 2012, about 117 workers died when they were trapped behind locked exits in a garment factory in Dhaka. The country’s worst industrial disaster occurred the following year when the Rana Plaza garment collapsed killing more than 1,100 people. In 2010, another fire occurred in Dhaka in a house illegally storing chemicals, killing at least 123 people. The varying disturbing tragedies underscore the importance and urgent implementation of effective industrial and personal safety framework and vigilant enforcement.
At Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) we are saddened by these incidences as we are optimistic that if simple safety precautions were considered and adopted, exposure to risks and the loss of lives and properties would have been minimised and averted to a great extent. It is expedient that we advocate and ensure safety measures are sustained at the lowest level.
As such we advocate for an overhaul of industrial buildings with proper planning and building codes with fire resistant materials with clear escape routes and signs clearly and boldly displayed. In that line we suggest collaboration among planners, architects, engineers, and constructors in planning, designing and spacing of factory buildings. Also, electrical wiring must be properly designed, installed and maintained. We also recommend a bond of cordial relationship with local fire service officers and locals for prompt response and regular training of personnel to boost efficiency. This collaboration will strengthen regular safety practices like fire drills and inter discipline cohesion. Also, safety officers must be trained to teach and educate workers on safety. In that regard there is need to ensure proper handling and storage of chemicals and hazardous materials with restriction and strict crowd control measures and safety operational evacuation mechanisms. At workplace it is expedient that escape routes be lighted at all times and kept clear. Unequivocally, an effective national industrial and safety framework and training unit is needed in Bangladesh because unless there is compulsion, people will not comply. Companies must be held accountable and liable for safety through enforcement by regulatory jurisdictions that will legally compel and commit companies to ensure safe working conditions as preventing fire is first and foremost a choice and then a mandatory act.
As a safety outfit, Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) is committed to ensuring safety across climes and professions. Even in industrial hubs where risks and uncertainties abound, our stand for safety is uncompromising. As such, where safety is breached, we are committed to advocating for compliance and enforcement.
TOUTS/HOODLUMS: Recently, there have been reported cases of hoodlums attacking fire fighters and vandalising their equipment. This trend is gradually gaining momentum in some states and has already instilled fear and panic about the safety of officers and equipment in responding to fire situations.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES: Some old bottle neck administrative policies in prompt response and even in the procurement of vital equipment s for the smooth running of firefighting efficiency from government agencies have constituted to another serious challenge in fire prevention in the country.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
The Nigerian Government authorities must be commended for their passionate and selfless service in addressing fire disaster over the years. Even with a general call to do more, the efforts so far are appreciable
TRAINING/ RE –TRAINING: Recently, the Federal Fire Service sent out 17 of its firefighting officers to
Belarus for advance trainers training course. Also there has been professional training course for officers with
different safety agencies within the country to boost efficiency.
RENOVATION: Within this year, the Federal government embarked on the renovation of 16 fire service stations and the
construction of additional 5 new fire stations to boost prompt response and relieve existing ones of undue pressure.
UPGRADE: the approval for the procurement and upgrade of equipment comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention engines and 20 basic life support ambulances with additional aerial platform firefighting truck.
MASSIVE AWARENESS: the federal fire service in conjunction with NEMA and national orientation agency have partnered in fire education and campaign especially during dry season to sensitise and educate the masses on fire prevention techniques.
RECOMMENDATIONS
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES: As a matter of public safety, there should be diversion or creation of alternative routes for petroleum tankers or other heavy-duty trucks that have sources of ignition out of congested places to avoid spills or explosions.
ENFORCEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY REGULATION: in our context, there should be review of enforcement of building and safety codes and fire prevention legislation to mitigate occurrence of fire in public and private buildings.
PUBLIC EDUCATION: Both the Federal Fire Service and disaster management agencies should embark and intensify cogent
educational campaign among residents and at various work places.
CONCLUSION
Fire prevention is our collective bargain for a sound and prosperous Nigeria. As such, it is imperative that all stakeholders come together to urgently address and enforce standards and legislations that will curb and mitigate fire outbreak in the country.
Further Reading
Federal Fire Service Report 2019, Basic Fire and Prevention Guide
World Fire Statistics Report (WFSR) “List of Fire Outbreak from 77 Countries” Vol. 9. 345 – 450, (2010)
News Watch: A Comparison of Lagos Death caused by Fire 2017
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) 2014 Report, Annual Fatal Fire Statistics, Vol. 5, 211-230 (2014)
National Security and Civil DefenCe Corps 2015; “Fire Outbreak in Buildings and Non-Buildings, Vol. 3, 124 – 160 (2015)
