The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a body recognised for fire safety, signed a partnership which will guide garment factories adopt best practices and most up to date standards for building and fire safety, used around the world.
The collaboration will empower Alliance Members and Bangladesh garment factories with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help protect the health and safety of workers working in garment units in Bangladesh.
The key components of the partnership include; raising awareness of NFPA codes, standards and resources in the Bangladesh RMG sector; expanding training and education through effective fire and electrical system safety programs and disseminate information to help workers recognize and prevent workplace hazards.
"NFPA is committed to working with others who share our interest in helping to prevent life-threatening fire and electrical hazards and we hope these efforts will serve as a catalyst for the government and others to strengthen their fire safety procedures”, NFPA President James Pauley said.
Moving forward, an implementation team of representatives from each organization will develop a plan of action, determine working procedures and identify participants’ roles and responsibilities. Members from the Alliance and NFPA will meet at least once per year to share progress made.
Ellen Tauscher, Alliance Board Chair said, “Our partnership with NFPA will ensure our member factories will be guided by best practices used around the world and the most up to date standards for building and fire safety.”
The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety was founded by a group of North American apparel companies, retailers and brands with the intent of improving safety in Bangladeshi apparel production factories.
While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1896 seeks to reduce worldwide burden of fire and other safety hazards by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. (AR)
