10.2. Safety Net According to the BLA, 2006 the employers are required to provide basic safety measures 44 which include, inter alia, safety of buildings, securely guarding all parts of dangerous machinery, precautions for working on machinery, emergency devices for cutting off power, provide protective equipment, measures to prevent fire and so forth. Besides, the existing law has also dealt with the occupational safety and health issues of the labours45. Safety of buildings, machinery and plants is to be ensured to the satisfaction of the inspectors.46 The inspector of labour has been given huge power in this regard. If it appear to the inspector that any building or part it or any machinery or plant in an establishment is in such a condition that it is dangerous to human life or safety, he may serve to the employer and order in writing specifying the measures which in his opinion should be adopted and requiring them to be carried out within a specified time. In case a building or machinery involves imminent danger to human life or safety, the inspector may order in writing prohibiting its use until it has been properly repaired or altered. Regarding the precaution against fire, section 62 of the Act provides that every establishment shall have an alternative stair connected to every floor as a means of escape in case of fire and be equipped with fire extinguisher with adequate warning systems. In practice the scenario is totally different as the workers face unsafe, cramped and hazardous conditions which often lead to work injuries and factory fires. Since 1990, more than 400 workers have died and several thousand more have been wounded in 50 major factory fires. We can give the examples of Tazreen Fashions and Rana Plaza incidents in this matter.47 In the case of working at the machinery, every plant or machinery shall be of good construction, sound material, and adequate strength and free from any patent defect, properly maintained in a safe condition, fitted with a suitable safety valve or other effective device. Section 63 provides 44 Sections 61 – 78 of the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 Sections 79 – 88, ibid 46 Chapter 20, ibid 47 Ghosh, Palash, Bangladesh Building Collapse: Grinding Poverty Drives Workers into Dangerous Sweatshops For Western Corporations, April 29, 2013, see link http://www.ibtimes.com/bangladesh-building-collapse-grindingpoverty-drives-workers-dangerous-sweatshops-western-1222795, accessed on June 3, 2014. 45