The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) has taken up a new initiative to protect the lives of garment workers by providing fire safety training to factory security guards.
The course will prepare guards to react effectively during fire emergencies aligning with guidelines produced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),.
The critical need for this training came from fire at Tazreen Fashions Ltd which claimed 112 lives and during which some workers were unable to escape due to at least one locked exit.
“This course will supplement the Alliance’s garment worker fire safety training program, which has already reached more than one million workers in factories from which Alliance Members source,” the body said.
“Security guards can play a leadership role in ensuring safe evacuation during a fire by clearing pathways and exits, supporting fire brigades and assisting with worker evacuation,” Ellen Tauscher, Independent Chair of the Alliance said.
“This training will empower factory guards with knowledge and skills that can ultimately save lives,” she added.
The course is aligned with the NFPA Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention and is in the process of being accredited through the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
David Gold, a workplace fire safety expert, who formerly oversaw occupational safety and health programs for member states of International Labour Organization (ILO), developed the curriculum.
The Alliance said the course will be implemented through a train-the-trainer approach in collaboration with security guard companies.
Third party trainers and security guard company representatives who have been specially qualified will conduct the training.
To complement the security guard training, factory managers will also participate in shorter sessions in order to build awareness and support for the role of security guards in protecting workers.
The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety was founded by a group of North American apparel companies, retailers and brands.
These entities joined together to develop and launch the Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative, that is transparent, results-oriented, measurable and verifiable with intent to improve safety in garment units. (AR)
