The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on its members to conduct immediate structural inspections of factory buildings after two earthquakes struck the country over the weekend, warning that the risk of significant aftershocks remains.
In a notice issued on Sunday, the industry group said major quakes are often followed by strong aftershocks that can endanger both workers and assets. “Therefore, it is very important for us to be alert in this regard,” the BGMEA said, adding that factories must reassess and reinforce safety systems without delay.
The association said structural integrity is critical in the garment sector because factories accommodate large numbers of workers. It warned that vibrations from heavy machinery, coupled with potential damage to sensitive areas such as elevators, boilers, generators and substations, could trigger serious accidents if left unchecked.
BGMEA recommended that members appoint qualified structural or civil engineers to examine buildings for cracks and other weaknesses that could compromise safety during aftershocks or subsequent earthquakes. It also advised immediate inspections of elevators, boiler rooms, generator rooms and electrical substations by certified specialists.
Bangladesh recorded a 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, followed by two more tremors on Saturday – one measuring 3.7 at 6:06 pm and another at 10:36 am measuring 3.3 – raising concerns over building resilience across high-density industrial zones.
