IE-24-Occupational Health and Safety PDF

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet
02-03 January, 2015

Dhaka, Bangladesh
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOOD BASED INDUSTRY

IN BANGLADESH
Md. TabiurRahman1, Dr. Engr. Md Mamunur Rashid2
1
Deputy Manager (QC); CX-1, Partex Star Group
2
Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM)
1
mtabiur_ku@yahoo.com, 2mamun87245@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Wood based furniture industry now a labor intensive sector in Bangladesh. At present
about 41,560 enterprises and nearly two lakh skilled and semi-skilled people are engaged in this sector.
But the occupational health & safety services in these industry in Bangladesh is not well organized.
The research in Partex Furniture Industries Ltd, it is seen that there are little knowledge about labor law
of OSH and PPE in worker level people i.e. only 20% worker have knowledge about some issue of
OSH of labor law and PPE. Only management people 100% know labor law of OSH. It is also noted
that this organization satisfied all level of employee about safe drinking water and medical facility.
Dust is the main enemy here to human health. Others issues are more or less in acceptable range to all
level of employee.
1.
INTRODUCTION
The occupational health & safety services in wood based industry specially in in furniture industry in
Bangladesh is not well organized though these industry is a labor intensive sector in Bangladesh. At
present about 41,560 enterprises and nearly two lakh skilled and semi-skilled people are engaged in
this sector. This type of industries actually is not so familiar as others like different ministries such as
railway, port and shipping, jute, textile etc. Butat present Bangladesh is producing wide variety of
international standard and quality furniture. People in Bangladesh are now going to choose local
furniture instead of foreign furniture. The export of furniture and allied products from Bangladesh has
started from 1995. There is good potential for export of furniture and Bangladesh's furniture industries
are ready for that. It is estimated that, by 2015 Bangladesh will earn export potential of crafts furniture
accessories worth of USD 10 million along with furniture worth USD 40 million. Partex Furniture
industry Ltd. trying to produce good quality furniture to achieve this goal.Partex Furniture Industries
Ltd. is one of the important industries among all the furniture industries in Bangladesh. It started 1992
and situated at Haripur, Bandar in Narayanganj. More than 3000 people related with this sector. So
they should be awarded about occupational health and safety.Actually the occupational health and
safety service in Bangladesh is still in the developmental stage. And in furniture industry the
application of occupational health and safety provision according to labor law is questionable. But to
produce quality full products it should be ensured quality full environment and healthy manpower.The
objectives of the thesis is to- Identify the violation of occupational health and safety provision by
analysis the relative statement of different employee and management people.
2.
METHODOLOGY
Inspection and Violation

According to Provision of Bangladesh Labor Act-2006 the occupational health and safety related issues
were identified first. Through surveying procedure all issues were inspected and try to understand
where is its violation. Total man power categories in 4 units as1. Worker unit
2. Supervisor unit
3. Officer unit
4. Department head and administrative people as management unit
Mechanical Engineering Division
Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh
10 employees from worker unit and 5 employees from each unit were selected randomly and they were
questioned by same questionnaire (as given following table-1). The total question were made and
activities were performed considering
1. Area Selection depending working condition
2. Materials used in production
3. Working Procedure
4. Environmental Conditions
5. Employees and Employers/Management perceptions.
Area Selection
Total wood working coverage with five plants in Cx-1, Partex Star Group, namely- Plain Board unit,
Veneering board, Plywood, Door and Furniture. To cover all area through surveying the total area kept
under the followingsa. Log yard area
b. Sawing, cutting and sizing area
c. Carpentry area
d. Sanding and Lacquering area
Materials
Different types of materials used in wood based industry like machine, sawn timber, nails, glue,
chemicals etc.
Methods/Process
a. Manual process
- Unsafe activities
b. Automated
- Unsafe condition
Environment
This part was randomly selected on the base of different area where people work. This part was used to
cover the factory as a whole with sample surveying. The OSH aspects in relation to working
environment covered included
- Dust Controlling
-Electrical safety.
- Emergency exits.
-Handling of hazardous substances.
-Hazardous substances.
-Housekeeping
-Lighting.
-Machine guards.
-Noise.
-Signage.
-Ventilation (thermal conditions)
Employee
Under this part of the activities different type of employee were questioned as they understand. The
aspects covered by this part with the questionnaire (table-1) and also included
-Occupational health and safety information.
-First aid promptness.
-Exposure to noise.
-Exposure to hazardous substances.
This part was administered by interviewing 2-3 workers from each section of the factory.
Employer
This part was designed to elicit information as regards to OSH policy of the enterprise; OSH
knowledge and understanding of the management and OSH encouragement in workplaces. This part
was administered on the chief executive of each factory.

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Table 1: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision

Questionnaire
Do you have any idea of labor law about occupational health
and safety?
Is any fire training you have taken?
Are you thinking that you are safe from fire?
Do you know about fire incident?
Do you know how to prevent fire?
Do you know the PPE used in your work place?
Are all kinds of PPE available in your factory?
Is your working area clean regularly as housekeeping?
Is disposal of wastes regularly done?
Are dust and fume is in reasonable condition?
Is your working area has proper ventilation system?
Is your working environment temperature is in reasonable
condition?
Is light is sufficient in your working area?
Is water safe for drinking?
Are available latrines having in this factory?
Is medical facility available in this factory?
3.
Yes
No
N/C
Percentage
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Results
Threetype of results found out by this surveying work i.e. physical observation results, recorded data
results and employer-employee opinion by questionnaire result.
3.1.1. Physical observation results
According to provision of Bangladesh Labor Law- 2006 most of provision followed by this
organization. Here fire safety training established as monthly routine work. Firefighting equipment,
water source available in this org. Drinking water, sufficient latrine, temperature, sound, light
everything is inacceptable in ranges. Dust is controlled in this organization but sometime dust
generates more and make the air dusty which is violation of occupational health and safety provision.
There are available water sources in and around this plant. Its West side Sitalkhmariver and South and
East side Okkhairiver. Internally it has large central pond, side pond and concrete made water reserve
tank.
3.1.2. Recorded data observation result
There are 3 fire service stations near to plant. These are1. Bandar fire station
2. Demrai fire station and
3. Narayangonj fire station.
3.1.3. employer-employee opinion by questionnaire result.
Under this part of the activities different type of employee were questioned as they understand. Same
question asked to different people. Maximum answer was same but some were contradictory. Table-3
to table-6 represents the different result answered by different people.
Table 2: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision (Worker level)
Questionnaire
Yes
No
N/C
Percentage
Do you have any idea of labor law about occupational health and 2
8
20
safety?
9
1
90
8
2
80
5
5
50

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Is your working environment temperature is in reasonable
condition?
8
2
6
10
9
7
7
8
2
8
4
1
3
3
2
80
20
60
100
90
70
70
80
9
10
8
10
1
2
-
90
100
80
100
Table 3: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision (Supervisor level)
Questionnaire
Yes
No
N/C
Percentage
2
60
safety?
5
100
4
1
80
4
1
80
4
1
80
3
2
60
4
1
80
5
100
5
100
3
2
60
3
2
60
Is your working environment temperature is in reasonable 4
1
80
condition?
4
1
80
5
100
4
1
80
5
100
Table 4: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision (Officer level)
Questionnaire
Yes
No
N/C
1
safety?
5
5
5
4
1
5
4
1
4
1
5
4
1
4
1
1
condition?
Percentage
80
100
100
100
80
100
80
80
100
80
80
80

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

4
5
4
5
1
1
-
80
100
80
100
Table 5: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision (Management level)
Questionnaire
Yes
No
N/C
Percentage
100
safety?
5
100
5
100
5
100
5
100
5
100
4
1
80
5
100
5
100
5
100
5
100
100
condition?
5
100
5
100
4
1
80
5
100
3.2
Discussion
Fig. 1: Comparative figure of employee opinion

According to Bangladesh Labor Law-2006, occupational general health and safety related issue
observed and after asking about it to different type of employee different type of result found that has
been showed as graphical fig. Here it is seen that there are little knowledge about labor law of OSH and

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh
PPE in worker level people i.e. only 20% worker have knowledge about some issue of OSH of labor
labor law and PPE. Only management people know labor law of OSH. It is noted that this organization
satisfied all level of employee about safe drinking water and medical facility. Others issue more or less
in acceptable range to all level of employee.
Table 6: Statistical analysis
Worker
Mean
Standard
Error
Median
Mode
Standard
Deviation
Sample
Variance
Kurtosis
Skewness
Range
Minimum
Maximum
Sum
Count
Confidence
Level(95.0%)
4.
76.42857
5.893481
80
80
22.05139
486.2637
2.213349
-1.32766
80
20
100
1070
14
12.73209
Supervisor
Mean
Standard
Error
Median
Mode
Standard
Deviation
Sample
Variance
Kurtosis
Skewness
Range
Minimum
Maximum
Sum
Count
Confidence
Level(95.0%)
82.85714
3.54385
80
80
13.25987
175.8242
-0.31023
-0.15083
40
60
100
1160
14
7.656021
Officer
Mean
Standard
Error
Median
Mode
Standard
Deviation
Sample
Variance
Kurtosis
Skewness
Range
Minimum
Maximum
Sum
Count
Confidence
Level(95.0%)
88.57143
2.745054
80
80
10.27105
105.4945
-2.24053
0.324537
20
80
100
1240
14
5.930329
Management
Mean
Standard
Error
Median
Mode
Standard
Deviation
Sample
Variance
Kurtosis
Skewness
Range
Minimum
Maximum
Sum
Count
Confidence
Level(95.0%)
97.14286
1.941046
100
100
7.26273
52.74725
3.791667
-2.29482
20
80
100
1360
14
4.193376
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Improved occupational safety and health enhances productivity by reducing the number of
interruptions in the manufacturing process, reducing absences, decreasing the number of accidents and
improving work efficiency. Employers and workers both have responsibilities and rights in relation to
occupational safety and health (OSH). A preventative approach to OSH is the best strategy to
eliminate most workplace accidents, injuries, and diseases. Key action points for employers to avoid
injuries, accidents and diseases:
Eliminate/control the dust produced in process.
Investigate and record accidents and injuries, and use the information to put measures in place
to avoid similar occurrences.
Encourage workers to discuss concerns about health and safety and make sure that there are
avenues for them to do so.
Keep inventories of chemicals and chemical safety data sheets, and ensure that chemicals are
correctly labeled and stored.
Make sure that all workers receive the supervision, information and training they need to do
their jobs safely, including in relation to PPE and hazardous substances.
Install guards on dangerous moving parts of machines.
Ensure that electrical wires, switches and plugs are properly installed, grounded and
maintained.
Put measures in place to avoid heavy lifting, e.g., trolleys or carts to move heavy or bulky
loads.

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Provide suitable chairs for sitting workers and provide standing workers shock absorbing mats
to stand on and regular breaks to sit down.
Where necessary, provide PPE, and train and encourage workers to use it correctly.
Ensure that temperature, ventilation, noise and lighting are at acceptable levels.
Provide health services and first aid that are appropriate for the workplace.
Provide adequate facilities for workers (toilets, washing facilities, eating area, personal
storage).
Ensure that any accommodation provided meets all relevant requirements.
Inform and prepare workers for possible emergencies in the workplace.
Develop a written OSH policy to make sure that everyone is aware of their rights and
responsibilities in relation to health and safety.
Carry out regular OSH assessments as required by national law and follow up on risks
identified during the assessment.
REFERENCE
Chan-Yeung, M. 1994.Mechanism of occupational asthma due to western red cedar (Thujaplicata).
American Journal of Industrial Medicine 25:13-8.
Department of Labor. Jan. 1989. Federal Register, pp. 2528-2533. January.
Khan M.A.A. and Asaduzzaman 2014, Labor Laws of Bangladesh P- 121-145.
Mazurkiewicz, Michael, M. S. and J. L. Festa, 1989. "Study Evaluates Wood Dust Exposure in U.S.
Plants." Wood and Wood Products.p. 158.July.
Meola, A. March 1985. "Toxic effects of Wood Dust Exposure."Professional Safety.
Milham, S. 1974. "Mortality Experience of the AFL-CIO United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America, 1969-1970: Division of Field Studies and Clinical Investigations." NIOSH
Publication No. 74-129. NIOSH, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Milham, S. and Hesser, J. E. 1967."Hodgkin's Disease in Woodworkers."Lancet, Vol 2: 136-137.
Spiers, P. S. 1969. "Hodgkin's Disease in Workers in the Wood Industry."Public Health Reports, 84(5):
385-388.
"National Forest Products Assn. and Inter-Industry Wood Dust Coordinating Committee Seminar
Review." 1989. Wood and Wood Products, p. 166. July.
The Daily Star, January 13, 2014

02-03 January, 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors
Md. Tabiur Rahman
Mr. Md. Tabiur Rahman is Bangladeshi National, Author, Researcher and Trainer. He was born in November 15,
1982. He has been serving as Deputy Manager (QC) at Cx-1, Plant, Partex Star Group, Haripur, Madanpur Bondar,
Narayangonj since May 24, 2009. He obtained BSc (Hons) degree in Forestry and Wood Technology from Khulna
University 2006 with CGPA 3.35 (out of 4). He also obtained MSc in Forestry and Wood Technology from Khulna
University 2010 with CGPA 3.63 (out of 4). A course on PGD in Human Resources Management (BIM) is continuing.
He is an internal Trainer and Auditor in his company and has been training on 5S, QCC, Product Quality and Process
flow line. One of his valuable article Seed germination techniques of phoenix dactylifera: A new experience from
Bangladesh has been published in international Journal Frontiers of Agriculture in China.
http://journal.hep.com.cn/fag/EN/10.1007/s11703-011-1086-2, http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11703-0111086-2. Another research work on Plant Tissue Culture In vitro Microropagation of Teak (techtona grandis) has
been presented in a seminar: Plant Tissue Cuture & Biotechnology Conference 2008 (April 11-13, 2008)
http://www.baptcb.org/conference08.html. He is a column writer in daily news paper of Bangladesh. More than 60
Article have been published in different daily news paper like- Daily Ittefaq, Daily Kaler Kantho, Daily Samakal,
Daily Vorer Kakoj, Daily Nayadiganta, Daly Jaijaidin, Daily Jugantor, Daily Ajkaler Khabor, Daily Sokaler Khabor,
Daly Prothomalo, Daly Alokito Bangladesh, Daily Destiny, Daily Banglabazar Potrika and Varsity magazine since
January 30, 2007. He also is an editor of a Magazine Compass. He is the founder of social developmental voluntary
organization Panjeree Reg No- Ma-644/2011, established at May 17, 2007, Magura. He can be reached by e-mail:
mtabiur_ku@yahoo.com and cell-01670656758.
Dr. Engr. Md. Mamunur Rashid

Dr. Rashid is Bangladeshi National, Author, Researcher, Academician, Trainer and Consultant. He was born in
November 1, 1970. He has been serving as a Faculty and Management Consultant at Bangladesh Institute of
Management (BIM), Dhaka since 16 February 2004. As a faculty and top level national master trainer he has been
facilitating for the Graduate and Professional training programs more than 100 in the areas of TQM, HRM,
Compliance of ISO9001:2008, SA8000, WRAP, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, Productivity and Competitiveness,
Project Management with MS Project-2007/2013 and Industrial Safety Management . Now he is as adjunct faculty at
Jahangirnagar University and BUP. He also worked as adjunct faculty at IEB, DIU, BOU, IBAISU, BUBT, BUET,
IPM, DIPTI and Planning Academy. Prior this job he worked as a Mechanical Engineer of Jamuna Fertilizer
Company, Bangladesh for around seven years. He obtained BSc in Mechanical Engineering degree from RUET
(erstwhile BITR) in 1993 with 1st class and 8th position, MSc in Mechanical Engineering degree from BUET in 1996
under NST Fellowship Program of GoB and MBA degree from BOU in 2004. He completed a Diploma in Computer
Science and Applications from BOU, a PGD in Human Resource Management from IPM with 1st Class and a Post
Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from BIM. He completed almost 30 training programs/short courses at
local and abroad. He also completed Management Accounting, Project Management, Technology Management, Safety
and Maintenance Management, Information Technology in Business and Artificial Neural System courses in Graduate
level study at Industrial and Production Engineering Department of BUET, Bangladesh. Now he is pursuing for LLB
degree from National University of Bangladesh. He has around 42 publications in renowned Journals (20) and
International Conferences (22). He also obtained Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering degree under
Bangabandhu Fellowship program of GoB at Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan on March 18, 2013. He also
awarded the Scholarship from class IX- Graduation degree from GoB. His journals are indexing almost Universities of
the world. He is life member of the following professional organization/body: IEB, BSTD and IPM. He is also
member of the following professional organization/body: JSPE, BSME, and BCS. He is the founder and Chairman of
Birganj Technical and Business Management College, Dinajpur since 2002. He can be reached by e-mail:
mamun87245@gmail.com and cell-01712700412.

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Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

02-03 January, 2015

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOOD BASED INDUSTRY

Inspection and Violation

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Table 1: Questionnaire of survey for occupational health and safety provision

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Do you know how to prevent fire?

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Is light is sufficient in your working area?

Fig. 1: Comparative figure of employee opinion

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

Proceedings of the 7th IMEC &16th Annual Paper Meet

Dr. Engr. Md. Mamunur Rashid

Mechanical Engineering Division

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh

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