HIDDEN STORY OF A FACTORY

Dulanjani Senarath
15/8/2012
post no-1

It's true the word 'factory' creates an image of a large building with machinery and workers working to produce items.But have we ever tried to find out about a factory beyond that?..NO..

As we are doing the community medicine appointment these days we got an opportunity to find it out.It was the third day of our appointment and as usual we were given a lecture about the factory visit by a PHI at Werahara MOH office.Then we were taken to the factory guided by the PHI.It was 'Kash'garments situated in Papiliyana.It provides work for nearly 300 workers.We were taken through various sections as cutting,ironing,sewing ect..




After observing the factory we identified the potential occupational hazards faced by the workers from cutting machines,sharp items,steam iron ect.As preventive measures the factory has adequate lighting,safety gloves,cooling systems.Also the dust can aggravate diseases like asthma and for that face masks are given..

In emergencies like fire,a fire rescuing plan is used.It includes fire exits,outside spiral staircase, fire alarms  ect.And the workers are trained how to face such situation.For welfair the workers have toilets,water supply,canteen,dining hall ect.they were given the meal from the factory.

There is a sick room in the factory with trained nurses,and basic first aid drugs.But when we checked the first aid boxes they were empty.But they said that in any accidents they can take the patient to a nearest hospital

There were loud noises coming from the machines and some machines were generating heat.Though the factory has provided masks and other preventive items,the workers were not wearing them.So they are in the risk of occupational hazards.

So,after a long journey through out the factory we were able to learn many things that we never thought of learning..It was a memorable visit with lot of experiences.