To verify the building safety of the factory, the factory must have BCC (Building Completion Certificate) issued by the relevant authority. See: https://ybps.ycdc.gov.mm/index.php?id=7
---> Section 65 of The YCDC Law, 2018
To verify whether the factory conducted fire safety measures and installations properlly, the factory must have FSC (Fire Safety Certificate) issued by Myanmar Fire Services Department. See: https://app.fsd.gov.mm/
---> Section 17(c) of The Fire Brigade Law, 2015
The factory must have the followings, not limited to, in proper way.
---> Section 40 of The Factory Act, 1951
Fire alarms
Emergency lights and exits
Evacuation maps or evacuation plans
Passage ways with direction arrow signs to exits (no block on the way)
Assembly points or assembly areas
Fire extinguishers, hose reels cabinets, hydrants
Smoke detectors and water sprinklers
Warning signs, manuals, guidelines, checklist, etc.
The factory must establish a Fire Fighting Team or Committee and provide training and awareness to the members. And the factory must keep the organization chart of the team or committee, meeting minute records, training records, photo records, etc.
---> Section 25(a) of The Fire Brigade Law, 2015
---> Section 43-A of The Factory Act 1951
Many confuse Fire Fighting Demonstration with Fire Drill. A Fire Fighting Demonstration is typically a training session where firefighters or other experts demonstrate fire-extinguishing techniques and equipment to a group, often with the goal of educating and preparing a factory's own fire-fighting team or committee. A Fire Drill, on the other hand, is a planned evacuation exercise, typically carried out in a building or facility, in which employees practice exiting the building and assembling at a designated location in the event of a fire. Fire Drill is a part of Fire Fighting Demonstration, it helps to ensure that workers are familiar with the building's emergency evacuation plan and that the plan is effective.
Therefore, in summary, a Fire Fighting Demonstration is basically associated with inviting the relevant or township fire brigade while a Fire Drill is basically associated with a planned evacuation exercise. General recommendations:
Fire Fighting Demonstration
Conduct two times or minimum one time in a year.
Keep all document and photo records including lecturing contents, participants list, meeting minutes, and so on.
Fire Drill
Conduct 4 times or minimum 3 times in a year.
Conduct Fire Drill together with the Fire Fighting Demonstration if which is going to be conducted.
Keep all document and photo records including lecturing contents, participants list (participation should be minimum 70% of the number of total workers), meeting minutes, details of evacuation exercise and so on.
The employer must employ one Occupational-Safety-and-Health-Officer and establish an Occupational Safety and Health Committee consisting of equal numbers of employer's representatives and workers' representatives in accordance with the requirements of the relevant ministry.
---> Chapter 6 of The Occupational Safety and Health Law
In practice, the provisions in chapter 6 of The Occupational Safety and Health Law are not yet in force. For example, many factories have yet employed a competent OSH officer in accordance with the requirements of the ministry—which are not released yet also—and established a formal OSH committee consisting of equal numbers of employer's and workers' representatives, as said in the provisions. However, most factories have an Occupational Safety and Health Committee established by ad hoc basis, according to the instruction of the relevant government office or requirements of international buyers/brands. General recommendations:
Employ a competent Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
Establish an Occupational Safety and Health Committee consisting of equal numbers of the employer's and workers' representatives.
Provide training to the members of Occupational Safety and Health Committee.
---> Section 43-A of The Factory Act 1951
Keep all document and photo records of the committee formation process, members of committee chart, training and activities, etc.
The factory needs several things to ensure electrical safety, including:
Adequate electrical wiring: The factory should have proper electrical wiring that meets local codes and regulations.
Circuit breakers and fuses: These devices protect against electrical overload and short circuits. The panel boxes containing these devices must have:
transparent secondary layers to protect fingers from touching unwanted opened wired and screws.
name list of responsible persons with required information displayed on its lid.
checklists and records of regular checking displayed on its lid.
any other relevant warning signs displayed on its lid or anywhere properly.
floor map on the ground in front it.
no block on the way to it.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs): These devices detect and interrupt electrical current in the event of a ground fault, which can prevent electrocution.
Properly rated electrical outlets and switchgear: The factory should have outlets and switchgear that are rated for the type and amount of electrical equipment being used.
Regular electrical inspections: The factory should have regular inspections of its electrical systems to identify and correct any potential hazards.
Electrical safety training for employees: Employees should be trained on proper electrical safety procedures, including how to properly use and maintain equipment, how to identify and report electrical hazards, and what to do in case of an emergency.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important aspect of safety in a manufacturing factory. To ensure that employees are properly protected, the factory must take the following measures regarding PPEs:
---> Section 26 of The Occupational Safety and Health Law
Conduct Risk Assessment: The factory must conduct a thorough assessment of the risks present in the workplace and identify any hazards that require the use of PPE.
Keep all the document and photo records of the process and results of risk assessment.
Purchase PPE: The factory must purchase good quality PPEs adequately based on the risks identified in the assessment.
Keep all the purchasing vouchers and other related documents.
Provide PPE: The factory must provide appropriate PPE for employees based on the risks identified in the assessment. This can include items such as safety goggles, hard hats, steel gloves, masks and respirators.
Keep all the document records of providing PPE including types, quantities, dates, etc.
Train employees: Employees should be trained on how to properly use and maintain PPE, including how to properly fit, adjust, and wear the equipment. They should also be trained on the limitations and potential hazards associated with the PPE they are using.
Keep all the document and photo records of the training.
Inspect PPE: The factory should regularly inspect PPE to ensure that it is in good condition and fit for use. Any damaged or worn PPE should be removed from service and replaced immediately.
Keep all the document and photo records of the regular inspections.
Encourage use: The factory should encourage and enforce the use of PPE among its employees to ensure that they are properly protected at all times.
Keep record: Keep records of all PPEs provided, the cost, training, and inspection of PPEs.
Follow regulations: The factory must comply with all relevant Occupational Safety and Health standards and regulations regarding PPE.
In every Factory with more than 250 workers, there must be a clinic established in accordance with the prescribed requirements of equipment and space.
---> Section 47(3) of The Factory Act, 1951
The clinic must be or have, not limited to, the followings:
required equipment, facilities such as medicine cabinet, beds, table, chairs, basin, etc. and enough space.
sufficient medicines and, medical accessories and equipment.
a full-time doctor or nurse, or a responsible person in charge of medical treatment to the workers.
a minimum of two beds separated by proper opaque partitions for males and females.
weekly and monthly accident or injury records, and treatment records.
current pregnant woman workers list.
no irrelevant work assignments
In every factory, there must be a First Aid Box that contains prescribed medicines, medical accessories and equipment. If the number of workers exceeds 150, there must be one more First Aid Box for the additional 100 workers or less.
---> Section 47(1) of The Factory Act. 1951
General Recommendations, not limited to, are:
A First Aid Box should contain a variety of items to help treat common injuries and illnesses. Some of the items that a First Aid Box might include are:
Diclo (Gel)
Spirit
Elastic Bandage
Gauze Sponges
Cotton
Glove
Face Mask
Scissors
Woven Bandage
Thermometer
Spetidine
Hansaplast
Paper Tape
Woven Bandage (big)
The First Aid Box should be regularly checked and filled with adequate items.
Checklist and First Aiders' information should be displayed on the First Aid Box.
The factory must establish a First Aid Team consisting of well-trained First Aiders. The number of First Aiders should be adequate against the total number of workers and risk level of accident and health issues in nature of work.
General Recommendations, not limited to, are:
the First Aiders must have First Aider Certificates got from attending First Aid Training.
(The First Aid Training conducted by Myanmar Red Cross Society - MRCS is recommended.)
the factory must provide training and awareness to the First Aiders and workers.
and keep all the document and photo records of the training and activities.
According to Article 21, 1951 Factory Act, 2016 (amended), factory need
to keep enough toilets
to keep separately male and female toilets
to attach label "Male", "Female" at the entrances
to keep proper lighting and good ventilation
to keep clean and healthy condition
to have enough sweepers
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General Recommendations: Need to provide proper facilities such as:
Wash Basins
Soap
Hand Sanitizers
Dust Bin / Recycle Bin and so on.....
According to Article 20, 1951 Factory Act, 2016 (amended), factory need
to prepare to get portable water
to attach label "Drinking Water"
to install at least 20 feet far from toilets and washing department
to provide cold drinking water in summer (factories with more than 250 workers)
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General Recommendations: Need to:
attach water test certificate with valid date
remove cups
arrange for hygienic