As the global community marks the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Nirapon, a leading organization for workplace safety in Bangladesh, urged today a shift toward a more holistic definition of industrial safety that bridges the gap between physical infrastructure and the psychosocial well-being of the workforce.
“Safety is not a one-off destination or a checklist of fire extinguishers. It is a living culture of care,” said Lewis Temple, CEO of Nirapon. “For our 70 members and the 344 factories we are currently working with, investing in the human side of safety isn’t just a moral choice, it is the key to a sustainable, competitive, and resilient supply chain,” he added.
Nirapon has been at the forefront of safety culture shifts in Bangladesh since 2019, by using education and capability-building, and not by audits or enforcement, to bring a behavioral change among factory owners, managers, and workers—so that safety becomes an integral part of their daily operations.
This year, in alignment with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) focus on psychosocial working environments, Nirapon is emphasizing that a truly safe factory is one where workers are protected from both physical hazards and the invisible risks of workplace stress.
Nirapon’s Safety Management Program is currently benefiting over 900,000 workers. By prioritizing safety guidance, educational programming, and an active grievance mechanism such as the Amader Kotha helpline, Nirapon is supporting factories in building environments where safety is a shared responsibility rather than a top-down mandate.
“As we look toward the future of Bangladesh’s industrial growth, we must ensure that safety systems also support the mental and social well-being of the millions of people who drive the country’s industrial sector. A worker who feels heard, respected, and psychologically secure is fundamentally a safer worker,” said Mr. Temple.
As Nirapon prepares to release its Five-Year Impact Report, today’s observance serves as a renewal of its commitment to our vision: An industry where worker and workplace safety are integral parts of doing business.
