Staff Reporter:
Despite having laws and policies in place, Bangladesh continues to face major gaps in ensuring workplace safety due to weak implementation, lack of awareness, and inadequate training, speakers at an event in the capital said on Thursday.
During the event, the speakers stressed that building a strong safety culture and developing a skilled workforce are essential for sustaining industrial growth, improving productivity, and preventing workplace accidents, said a press release.
The observations came at a programme titled “Strengthening Occupational Safety and Workforce Excellence in Bangladesh,” organised by the Occupational Safety Board of Bangladesh (OSBB) under the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at the Council Hall of the Shaheed Engineer Bhaban at IEB Headquarters in the capital’s Ramna area.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), president of IEB and chairman of RAJUK, said Bangladesh has many laws and regulations on paper, but their practical implementation remains inadequate.
Referring to road safety, he said many motorcyclists still ride without helmets, while passengers often avoid wearing them even if drivers comply with safety rules. Likewise, many drivers do not use seat belts, increasing the risk of severe injury during accidents.
He also pointed to poor fire safety practices in buildings, saying emergency exits are frequently blocked by stored materials, making evacuation difficult during emergencies and increasing the risk of major disasters.
“Enacting laws alone is not enough; strict enforcement is equally important,” he said, adding that the government, professional bodies, social institutions, and media must work together to raise awareness and strengthen safety practices across society.
In his welcome remarks, Prof Dr Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan, honorary secretary of IEB, highlighted weak occupational safety standards in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry.
He said many workers continue to operate in hazardous environments without adequate protective equipment, leaving them vulnerable to accidents and fatalities.
During his speech, Sabbir emphasised the importance of building a long-term safety culture, beginning with education at an early age.
“Children should be taught safety awareness from an early stage so that responsible behaviour becomes part of their everyday practice,” he said.
He also stressed the need for regular training for workers and related personnel, particularly in the use of modern safety equipment, risk management, and emergency response procedures.
Presenting the keynote paper, Prof Dr Syeda Sultana Razia, chairman of OSBB, said skilled manpower and safe working environments are critical to Bangladesh’s economic progress, particularly in sectors such as readymade garments, construction, power and energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.
However, workplace accidents, fire hazards, occupational health risks, and skills shortages remain major challenges, she said.
To strengthen workplace safety, she called for modern safety management systems in industries, including fire prevention mechanisms, emergency exits, safe electrical systems, proper ventilation, and healthy working conditions.
She also urged industries to arrange regular safety training, drills, and awareness programmes and ensure mandatory use of personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, masks, and protective clothing.
Razia said lack of skills and inadequate training remain among the leading causes of workplace accidents in Bangladesh.
She stressed the importance of technology-driven training, technical education, and sector-specific skills development to prepare workers for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Workers must develop expertise in automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies to remain globally competitive,” she said.
The programme was chaired by Razia and moderated by Prof Dr Md Iqbal Hossain, member secretary of OSBB. Vote of thanks was delivered by Niaz Uddin Bhuiyan, vice-president (S&W) of IEB and member of OSBB.
Leaders of IEB Headquarters in Dhaka, central council members, representatives of engineering divisions and chapters, OSBB members, and engineers from different organisations attended the event.
