Impact of thermal environment on occupational health at readymade garments buildings in Bangladesh

Abstract

The ready-made garments (RMG) sector has a superior prospect than any other sectors in Bangladesh in terms of employment and foreign currency earnings and thereby reduces poverty and playing a major role in the national economy. More than 81% of Bangladesh’s export earnings comes from the readymade garment industry. However, working condition of workers is not pleasant. This issue is not only related to building and life-safety but also formed a health problem issue of the RMG workers. Moreover, workers suffer various kinds of diseases due to lack of ventilation and unhealthy thermal condition. Workers are more productive in a positive environment. In order to reduce the negative health impacts of RMG workers, it is now crucial to have essence in this sector by taking some realistic steps. The research aims to characterize and correlate existingthermal environment and health condition of the workers. A literature review is conducted to get the issues of thermal aspects that affects health and occupational health management systems that are used in the RMG buildings.Then arange of distinctive interviews and related to environmental data was collected from RMG, workers, compliance managers or entrepreneurs from a number of running readymade garments. The study was summarized on the basis of the information provided by the respondents and environmental data using both qualitative and quantitative tools. With quantitative data, the current version of data analysis program, absolute Figures, graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, tables,percentage and statistical tools such as Pearson R Test, Simple linear regression and Multiple regression is applied whereas qualitative will be made use of description, analysis of description and feedback from interview and personal observation. Finally, the study explores the relationship between thermal environment and occupational health. Geographically, this study focuses on Chittagong. However, the findings may be relevant to other cities as well. By studying such impact of thermal environment with regard to occupational health, coherent actions and means of mitigation has been recognized. This research addresses the relationship between the thermal environment and occupational health condition. Results indicate that workers are affected by headache, eye problem, respiratory and skin disease by unease thermal environment. It is expected that RMG Entrepreneurs, Architects, Engineers, and RMG staffs may be tempted to take these factors into consideration while making or working in such typologies of buildings. On the other hand, policy makers can take decision cited in this study into consideration while making related regulatory policies and framework.