The apparel and textile industry in Guatemala is a highly mechanized sector that focuses on compliance with national and international regulations, especially in the creation of ideal conditions for protecting the life, health, and physical integrity of employees.
One of the priorities of the Apparel and Textile Association – VESTEX, is to accompany companies and provide them with tools to facilitate compliance by contemplating different aspects. VESTEX offers specialized services of evaluation of working conditions, where tours of the facilities of the companies that make up the industry, as well as those of related services (laundries, screen printing, embroidery), during the tour in plant inspections based on the Health and Safety Regulations (Governmental Agreement 229-2014) in order to detect potential risks and thus avoid accidents.
Occupational Health and Safety covers several aspects that are important to control in industrial areas, including lighting, noise, particulate matter and thermal stress, considering that evaluating the hygienic conditions of workplaces allows reducing and controlling the risks of accidents and occupational diseases.
This dynamic puts the collaborator at the center, to create a safe and optimal environment for the correct development and adequate performance of each person, seeking to increasingly reduce the risk and the number of occupational accidents. This has a direct impact on the productivity of companies, turning it into a commercial advantage.
The Guatemalan apparel and textile industry competes globally and international brands place great importance on social compliance and the welfare of workers, seeking to trace ethics throughout the value chain. That is why for VESTEX it is important to promote compliance throughout the apparel and textile cluster, including the various industries that contribute to the finished garment.
VESTEX has continuously innovated and expanded its services in this area, based on the requirements of national legislation, as well as the requirements of several of the brands that produce garments in the country. Therefore, it offers a monthly program of online courses, elaboration of occupational health and safety plans or their updating. The association has trained personnel and uses certified and calibrated measuring equipment to develop objective processes that help improve company standards.
Some companies in Guatemala in the framework of compliance with the standard have implemented health surveillance programs, including various initiatives such as active breaks where all workers perform stretching exercises in the morning and afternoon. In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a control of people with diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid, etc., seeking to promote prevention and health complications.
Any occupational health and safety program should aim at well-being, continuous improvement, and increased individual and company productivity.
