IOSH Aims to Improve Occupational Safety for Fashion Workers

With the aim being to improve the safety of those working in supply chain factories, which are commonplace in the fashion industry, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has teamed up with Fashion Revolution and politicians.

The collaboration, which took place of 29 June 2015, involved looking at projects that has been setup to improve worker-safety, following the 2013 tragedy in Rana Plaz, Bangladesh, in which 1,100 people died following the collapse of a supply factory.

At the meeting, the attendees from across politics and fashion discussed additional steps that could be taken.

It was determined that greater transparency was required within the fashion industry while the attendees also felt it important that workers were able make their superiors know about safety concerns without having to worry about any repercussions.

Commenting, Jan Chmiel, who is the IOSH Chief Executive, stated:

"We need to make sure that this work is good work and that workers return home safe and healthy at the end of the working day.

"Transparency matters because it can drive improved workplace standards. It can also increase recognition of good health and safety performance. And importantly, it can help ensure more people view health and safety as an investment, not a cost – one that saves lives, supports business and sustains communities.

"Whereas, a lack of transparency can do the reverse. Crucially, it can mean that firms don't know the factories that are supplying them, so they can't actively manage their risks – potentially leading to tragedy, disaster and business failure."

Similarly, speaking on bahlf of her organisation, Fashion Revolution's founder, Carry Somers, said: "Transparency may be a difficult journey for the fashion industry, but it is an essential journey if we are to see real improvements in the myriad of issues affecting its supply chain.

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