COVID '19 HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES AT APPAREL

 

COVID '19 HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES AT APPAREL

The majority of clothing companies have employs thousands of people, to the COVID 19 virus spreading, most of the industries closed and most of the work places changed physical working style to work from home concept. But companies that provide products will not entertain working from home. In any case, the employees have to be worked at the end of the day. Because of the COVID-19, most apparel industries must consider health and safety measures in order to retain employees and increase production flow.

Apparel exports in Sri Lanka affected due to COVID 19

As per the trend, the production has become ineffective in the last two years.

 Figure 01 (source 1-Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, 2021)

 Factors directly affected production and employees.

·       Carelessness against COVID-19 spread.

·       No hygienic behavior and anti-spread steps are taken.

·       Physical work is performed by fewer employees.

·       Rapid travel restrictions and curfews.

·       Their lower salaries made them unsatisfactory at their jobs.

  Results were observed due to the COVID spread.

-        The product is in lower demand.

-        Labor shortage.

-        Compulsory temporary closure of factories.

-        a scarcity of raw materials.

-        Permanent employees are paid a salary in order to keep them on the job.

-        Due to a lack of air and sea transportation, there have been no product exports to other countries.

Steps taken to overcome it in a short period.

-        Proper disinfection systems are required both on the premises and within the garments.

-        Proper health inspection protocols are established in garments.

-        Providing masks and related PPEs

              Figure 02 (IFC Insights, 2021)

1.     Providing sanitizers and proper hand washing systems.

2.     changed from a thumb print to a data-detectable attendance system

3.     Keep distance of minimum 1m in-between two employees to prevent COVID spread

4.     Provide good air circulation in all work areas; leave doors and windows open where possible.

5.     Create awareness among employees about the relevant revisions made to the guidelines.

6.     Refrain from organizing parties, trips, and other get-togethers where people gather during this period.

                    Figure 03 (InfoTech, 2021).

Using Response Measures to Detect a COVID-19 Positive Employee

STEP 1- Identification of a COVID-19 positive employee

·       Isolate the patient in isolation room

·       Inform to MOH

STEP 2- Identify all first line contacts (close contacts) of the COVID -19 positive employee

·       Name

·       Phone numbers

·       Permanent address

·       ID number

[Should have to provide to the MOH ]

STEP 3- Quarantine and testing of first line contacts.

STEP 4- Disinfection recommendations after identifying a positive COVID-19 case at the institution.

STEP 5-  Preventing further transmission of COVID-19 in the work place.

 Conclusion

Apparel companies were greatly impacted by the COVID impact and became more normal as a result of seeking correct hygienic and safety implementations both inside and outside of the industries.

Reference

1.investsrilanka.com,2021,apparelExports2012-2020(Sep),Available: https://investsrilanka.com/apparel/. [Accessed on 2021.11.23]

2.   infotech, 2021, Face Recognition reader with temperature scanning. Available at: https://www.info-tech.com.my/face_recognition_temperature_attendance.htm. [Accessed on 2021.11.23]

3.ifc.org2021,WearingPPEs,Availableat: https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/news_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/news+and+events/news/insights/i13-ps-ppe. [Accessed on 2021.11.23]