23 Jan /14

Weaving A Safer Workplace

health safety textile industryFrom the simplest white undershirt to the most expensive designer clothing, textiles are essential. Unfortunately, the textile industry can be just as dangerous as it is needed. The health and safety dangers in the textile industry are compounded by differences between developed and developing world production methods. Last year’s horrific collapse of a Bangladeshi garment factory that killed over 1,000 workers underscored the fact that a considerable portion of mass market textiles are produced under always negligent and most of the time outright hazardous conditions.

Among the most widespread health and safety threads are:

  • Biological hazards, such as cotton dust, are both highly flammable as well as dangerous when inhaled.
  • Chemicals, involved in the dying and treating of materials, can be both an environmental as well as a personal hazard for employees.
  • Lax building codes frequently lead to severe incidents including building collapses.
  • Lack of fire and evacuation precautions routinely result in the injury and death of thousands of textile workers each year.
  • Physical injury can also result from missing instruction manuals, operating instructions, and related materials, these often result in severe injuries.
  • Due to the fact that the industry utilizes a certain amount of heavy and light machinery, there is a constant risk of personal injury due to the continued use of faulty and outdated machinery and improper use.

While many textile manufacturers in North America and the European Union have well established and implemented health and safety regulations; such regulations are virtually nonexistent in the developing world. As a result employee safety is practically absent. While the recent textile factory fires in Pakistan due to lax safety precautions have been well reported, what has often been neglected is the thorough investigation of the root causes of such tragedies. Sure, comprehensive and well-enforced regulations will help to improve the health and safety of the workers, but there is no substitute for a pro-active company or a well-informed workforce that has been sufficiently trained in best practices. Perhaps the best way for an employer to make a difference is through information and by communicating that real change can only be achieved by improving the conditions, standards, and image of both the business and the industry as a whole.

EVS Translations is a translation company that specializes in providing expert language services for corporation with a global footprint. We focus on the translation of occupational safety instructions, health and safety manuals, brochures and training manuals. Meet us at the 20th World Congress on Safety and Health in Frankfurt Germany in August or simply contact us to learn more about how we can help you make the most of your health and safety programs.