Workplace Safety:

We believe that safer the work environment, the more satisfied and productive the employees shall be. Workplace safety promotes the wellness of employees and employers alike. Better safety equates to better health. Healthier employees do tasks more efficiently, and they are happier in general. We have established policies to protect our employees by providing a comfortable environment, healthy working conditions, and safe work place in order to make them happy.

Eemployees are our most important resource. Providing and maintaining a safe and ethical atmosphere for them is imperative. As it has resulted in employee satisfaction and improved staff productivity. This practice has also ensured a very healthy relationship between the employer and employees. Thus, leading towards an increased retention of workers delivering their best possible production output. The following are (among others) some aspects that we consider regarding our employee’s safety measures:

Doctors and Nurses:

We have in-house doctors and nurses available for providing medical checkup, first aid, and/or even long term help or assistance with any specific health issues as part of our medical support to our employees.

First Aid Box:

We are ensuring first aid items in first aid boxes as per Bangladesh labour law -2006 and Bangladesh labour law -2015.

Drinking Water:

For all the factory employees we provide safe and pure drinking water.

Fire Fighting System:

All our portfolios are stocked with the most recent fire fighting systems. We have sufficient fire extinguishers and hose reels which are checked every week for ease of use (if and when required) along with other fire safety related equipment. We have also installed addressable Fire Detection & Hydrant System. UL listed fire doors have been installed as well at all our portfolios to comply with ACCORD/ RSC standard.

Fire drills are conducted every month in order to make sure all employees know what to do in the event of fire or any unforeseen mishaps. Emergency evacuation plans are posted clearly on all exit paths with all walkways marked with red and yellow colored arrows to guide the workers safely towards the exit. We have also taken a step further and stationed fire safety trained employees at our factories accordingly.

Governance:

Our governance priority areas include strategy, framework, policies, standards, accountability and continuous improvemen

1.Policy and Procedure Governance:

We deploy a robust policy framework supported by guidelines and continuous monitoring and audit processes to ensure safety policy adherence. Some of our policies are summarized below-

• Occupational, Health & Safety Policy, Procedure
• Recruitment & Hiring Policy and Procedure
• Termination & Retrenchment Policy, Procedure
• Grievance Policy, procedure
• Environmental Policy
• Child & Young Labor Remediation Policy & procedure
• Harassment and Abuse Policy
• Anti- Discrimination Policy
• Loan or Advance advance policy and procedure
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
• Housekeeping Policy
• Incident Investigation and Control Procedure
• Health and Safety Committee
• Physical Hazard Safety Policy
• Near Miss Risk Policy
• Fall Protection Policy
• Trauma Safety Policy
• Ergonomic Policy
• Maternity Policy
• Maternity Protection and Breastfeeding Support Policy
• COVID-19 Policy
• Waste Disposal Policy & Procedure
• Fire Safety Policy
• Hot Work policy and Procedure
• Internal Audit Policy
• Log out &Tag out policy and Procedure
• Medical facility policy & procedure
• Maintenance policy & procedure
• Portable Ladder use & safety Policy and Procedure
• Prohibition of forced labor Policy, Procedure
• Working Hour Policy
• Risk Assessment & Remedial Policy
• Chemical storage, handling Policy, Procedure
• Ethical Business Behavior (Business Integrity Policy)
• Anti-bribery & anti-corruption Policy, procedure

2. Communication and Training –

We have designated safety structures and OHS Committees under the leadership of senior management to assess risks, take preventive actions and educate the workforce on responses and actions. Key programs include:

• Fire and Emergency Drills
• Basic Fire Safety training
• Security guard ?re training
• Safety Committee training
• Electrical Safety training
• Equipment Safety training
• Chemical Safety training
• Health and Hygiene related training
• Occupational Health and Safety Training
• Maternity Safety Training

Moreover, the safety committee members and responsible personnel have received training from “RSC” to ensure maximum safe working environment.

Our portfolios runs a host of training programs for employee awareness regarding health and safety environmental safety, health and hygiene, chemical safety.

3. Safety Infrastructure:
   
   
4. a) Building safety: We follow building codes BNBC and RSCn ( RMG Sustainability Council) and The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
5. b) Electrical safety: We follow standards for electrical systems supported by rigorous audit (RSC) and assessment protocols supported by trained and skilled engineers.
6. c) Fire safety: We follow NFPA codes for fire prevention and protection systems supported by trained professionals. This cover:

• Fire detection and alarm system – early notifications of fire
• Fire hydrant and sprinkler system – suppression and extinguishment of fire
• Fire extinguisher – early suppression of fire
• Emergency lighting and public announcement system – emergency evacuation
• Fire door and fire hazard separation – safe fire exits

Maintaining unobstructed exit paths and good housekeeping to reduce fire and safety risk.

4. Equipment, Environment and chemical safety :

Our facilities regularly maintain safety checks on industrial equipment including machinery. We follow safety procedures such as using safety guards and Personal Protective Equipment. We maintain safe storage and handling of chemicals as per safety data sheets. We have implemented a procedure for category wise disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste through an approved vendor to ensure environment safety.

5. Health and welfare :

Our focus on employee health has led to the development and deployment of COVID-19 protocols, Industrial hygiene surveys, employee health check-ups for hazardous work. Our facilities are equipped with a full-fledged medical facility, first-aid at shop floor, safe drinking water and personal hygiene education, daycare centers and canteens.

Environmental:

Our environmental priority to reduce Carbon footprints, Energy consumption, Water consumption and Waste generation in a gradual way.

The following standard/certification process establishment in our portfolios:

SLCP:

The Social & Labor Convergence Program provides the tools to capture accurate data about working conditions in global supply chains. This multi-stakeholder initiative replaces the need for repetitive social audits by facilitating data sharing. We are working with under SLCP program.

Sustainable Apparel Coalition (Higg index – FSLM):

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition certifies that the facility named above utilizes the Higg Index to measure and grow its sustainability practice.

 SEDEX Membership:

The Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) is an Organization dedicated to encouraging improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. We are “B” Members of the SEDEX. We have completed SMETA (ETI base Code) 4 pillars audit.

Amfori BSCI : 

The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is a leading business-driven initiative for companies committed to improving working conditions in the global supply chain. We are in under amfori BSCI listed company.

FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION (FWF):

Fair Wear is accelerating the movement towards a world where garment workers see their human rights realized. The global value chain, a source of safe, dignified and properly paid employment. We are working with brands under FWF memberships.

For any compliance related inquiry, please contact: Mr. Abu Baker Siddik, Jewel (Head of HR. Admin & Compliance) – jewel@markdesignersltd.com, cc to : hamza@markdesignersltd.com