Around 18 per cent of garment factories in Bangladesh have been found to be vulnerable to safety hazards. About 23 per cent of the factories have been asked to conduct detailed engineering analysis. An inspection program, which started in November 2013, assessed fire, electrical and structural integrity in some 1,475 garment units till October 31. 

Some 26 Accord-inspected units out of 1,356 were closed, while eight were partially closed. Alliance inspected some 829 units, while eight were closed and 12 were partially closed. ILO will help build the capacity of Bangladesh authorities to put in place an effective system for all remediation and regulatory oversight once the support of partners ends. 

The International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank, will provide low interest loans to Bangladeshi factory owners for safety improvements so long as overseas customers of those factories guarantee the loans. The groups are working with Bangladeshi factory owners to promote safety and finance improvements, like fireproof doors or fire-sprinkler systems that are required for garment factories 75 feet or taller in Bangladesh. 

While all that is needed at some sites is removing machinery and stored fabrics from overloaded floors, others will need sprinkler systems, automated alarm systems and the strengthening of support columns.