Assessment of clearer production in textile factories of Bangladesh
Student name: Ms Tanusri Sarker
Guide: Dr Suresh Jain
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: Reed Consulting BD Ltd
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Mohammad Abbas Uddin
Abstract: Bangladesh is one the largest exporter of ready-made garments after China which shares 83%
export of the country. Since, textile processing heavily depends on water and chemicals, it is
becoming a major concern for textile industries to become sustainable. Besides, occupational
health and safety improvement is also essential to create a worker positive climate at
workplace. This study focuses on assessment of cleaner production in two knit processing
factories to find out baseline KPI of water, chemical management and occupational health and
safety. Upon the baseline KPI, corrective action plans (CAP) are suggested to achieve targeted
KPI. The assessment is mainly based on primary data collection from factory premises. Result
shows that, water KPI of XXX Sweaters limited and YYY Limited are 290 L/kg (Ground water)
and 437 L/kg (Soft water) and have targeted for 230 L/kg and 336 L/kg respectively. Thereby, XXX
Sweaters limited and YYY Limited have water saving potential of 30,000 m3 and 445,491 m3
annually by implementing low and no cost measure and payback period is short term in most
of the cases. According to the developed matrix, both of the assessed factories are in
transitional stage in Occupational Health and Safety. Baseline OHS KPI of XXX Sweaters
limited and YYY Limited are 46% and 42% and target for 71% and 72% respectively.
Improvement in KPI is possible through proper H&S policy, specific training, regular
emergency drill, workplace risk assessment, safety committee formation, evacuation plan
display in factory premises and defined evacuation routes etc. In terms of Chemical
management both of the factories are in getting started position e.g. XXX Sweaters limited
scored 6 and YYY Limited scored 5 ( out of 28) and targeted to improve it to 19 by June 2017.
Some common recommendations for both the factories to achieve the targeted score are
dedicated person involvement for chemical management, chemical inventory for all chemicals,
SOPs for hazardous chemicals, MSDS of chemicals and proper leveling on stored containers,
hazard identification of respective areas and proper PPE by the exposed people. This initiative
will help the factories to be resource efficient, environmental friendly. The spillover benefit also
includes increase productivity and profitability, competitive advantage, improve company
image and reduce risks and liabilities.
Keywords: Cleaner production; Key Performance Indicator (KPI), Corrective Action Plan (CAP), Textile, Water,
Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Management
