SAFETY FIRST

 Sumudu Siriwardens
 15.08.2012
  post 01

Wednesday the 15th of August 2012, it was 3rd day of our community medicine clerkship appointment.After an introductory lecture regarding a factory inspection at the MOH office we went to visit "Kash Garment" near Piliyandala junction

Usually any factory runs targeting profits & sometimes profits only, and often they tend to neglect to look upon the safety of the factory and its employees.Following are some of the safety measures we saw during our visit.

The factory was clean,tidy,well ventilated with good lighting and  had a calming background music which made the working grounds more pleasant.Even though the environment was bit noisy it was not up to a level which could directly effect ones health .

good lighting

tidy and well organized

There were fire points and fire alarms established all over the place with written instructions display beside it.No smoking signs were posted in several places. .But are they maintaining the fire points properly? replace them with new ones time to time?That's an issue to be checked.

fire point

fire alarm

There were evacuation plans posted on every floor, few assembly points were established and all the exits were labeled as  either "exit" or "not an exit" to minimize the confusion  in a case of emergency and they have conducted fire drills time to time as well.

Upon entering the factory grounds we noticed a sick room with a trained nurse.There were first aids boxes in most of the sections and written instructions posted on basic first aid methods in few places.But when we open the first aid boxes most of them were not been adequately filled with basic drugs bandages,plasters etc...

instructions on basic first aids were posted in few places

first aid box is not adequately refilled

Employees were provided with hand gloves and masks and some with goggles.But are they using them?Very few among them wear gloves or masks even in the cutting department which was covered with clothe dust.Is it only because of their lack of awareness?

Providing special masks,goggles.iron gloves and boots to operate certain machines,putting up special posts reminding the employees to wear them before the use,using finger guards and extra light in sewing machines and putting up warning signs where they are necessary are among the other important safety measures which we have noticed during our factory visit.

finger guard

an extra lamp been fixed to the sawing machine

special type of masks and goggles been provided to operate certain machine

                                                                                                                                                              

Generally they have done their level best to uplift the safety of their employees and with some modifications will be able to reach a better level.So overall I'm happy with the measures that the Kash administration has been adapted regarding the safety of their factory and its employees