The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged its members to conduct immediate inspections of factory buildings for any structural flaws following the earthquake on 21st November, cautioning that further aftershocks may occur and calling for strengthened safety measures across the sector.
In a notification issued on 23rd November, the apex apparel body warned that major earthquakes are often followed by significant aftershocks, which could pose serious risks to life and property. The BGMEA stated that it was “very important” for the industry to remain alert in the aftermath of such seismic events.
Given the high concentration of workers in garment factories, the organisation stressed the importance of reinforcing the structural safety of factory buildings. It noted that many types of machinery used in industrial units generate continuous vibrations, while sensitive areas such as elevators, boilers, generators and substations could cause serious accidents if damaged.
The BGMEA said that any resulting failure in these critical sections could lead to mass casualties, and it recommended that factory owners immediately engage structural or civil engineers to inspect their buildings for cracks or other weaknesses that could be exacerbated by aftershocks or subsequent earthquakes.
It further advised that elevators, boiler rooms, generator rooms and substations should be examined by qualified engineers without delay.
Bangladesh was shaken by a 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning. This was followed by two additional tremors on Saturday — one at 6:06 pm measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, and another at 10:36 am with a magnitude of 3.3.
