Why Textile Sustainability Must Include Worker Health

Consumer CompactSoftlinesOctober 08, 2026

Health and safety discussions in the textile industry often focus on the finished product, yet some of the greatest risks occur during manufacturing. If not controlled properly, the hazardous chemicals used in dyeing, finishing and coating can create serious long-term health issues for workers.

The hidden threat

Worker health remains an often-overlooked aspect of textile sustainability. While factors such as carbon emissions, water usage and the management of waste products are commonly discussed, the health and safety of the people working in factories does not always receive the same attention. Even when employee safety is part of the discussion, it is often framed around building safety or labor conditions, with chemical exposure receiving far less attention.

However, the risk is real. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that workplace exposure to hazardous substances impacts over one billion workers worldwide, leading to occupational cancers, chronic illnesses and millions of work-related fatalities each year.^[i]

These statistics are reflected in the textile sector, where operations such as dyeing, finishing and coating can expose workers to a range of potentially harmful substances, including reactive chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with solvent-based processes, powdered enzymes and substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR).

While manufacturers are responsible for providing safe working conditions, due diligence frameworks around human rights, such as the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines, increasingly expect brands to identify, assess and address occupational health and safety risks within their supply chains.^[ii] They are also expected to use their influence to encourage improvements and support remediation where adverse impacts occur.

This distinction is important. Hazards that are not actively assessed are unlikely to be effectively managed, and testing a finished product will provide little insight into the substances, processes or exposures workers may have encountered during production.

Common health and safety risks

During facility assessments, several recurring occupational health and safety risks are commonly identified:

Ventilation: inadequate extraction and air quality monitoring in production areas where chemical exposure may occur
Chemical handling: unnecessary exposure to volatile compounds when solvents, adhesives or other hazardous substances are stored or used in open containers
Safety documentation: absence of formal hazard and risk assessments, a structured occupational health program and systematic monitoring of chemical exposure
Training: insufficient instruction on safe handling procedures, emergency response requirements and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Chemical storage: chemicals stored without appropriate secondary containment, clear labeling or segregation by hazard class, increasing the potential for spills, contamination and other safety incidents

These risks are common across textile manufacturing. Facilities with robust occupational health and safety management systems are generally better equipped to identify, prioritize and address them.

S.T.O.P. principle

The S.T.O.P. principle is a widely used hierarchy of controls that ranks risk reduction measures from most to least effective:

Substitution: hazardous substances and processes are replaced with safer alternatives. Highly effective as it removes or reduces the hazard at its source. For example, facilities may substitute CMR solvents with water-based or lower-risk alternatives
Technical controls: engineering measures that reduce or eliminate exposure without depending on worker behavior. Examples include enclosed production systems, local exhaust ventilation and process automation
Organizational measures: procedures and management practices that support safe working conditions, including employee training, standard operating procedures, work instructions and clearly defined responsibilities
PPE: appropriate protective equipment acts as a final safeguard when risks cannot be adequately controlled through substitution, technical controls or organizational measures

The hierarchy should be applied in sequence. PPE should be considered the final layer of protection and not the primary control measure.

What better practice looks like

While some occupational health and safety controls are required by law, requirements often vary between jurisdictions. A more effective approach is to assess whether facilities have implemented the types of controls commonly found in well-managed operations. Effective assessments focus on whether these controls are functioning in practice and reducing risk, rather than simply being documented.

Common indicators of strong occupational health and safety performance include chemical substitution programs, effective ventilation, enclosed handling systems, suitable PPE and documented management systems supported by monitoring and training. The challenge is not identifying these controls but applying them consistently across facilities and supply chains.

Why a systems-based approach matters

Individual controls can reduce specific risks, but lasting improvements in occupational health and safety depend on systems that ensure those controls are implemented, monitored and continuously improved.

The first reason is protecting workers’ wellbeing. Exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to injury, illness and long-term health impacts. A safe and healthy working environment is recognized by the ILO as a fundamental principle and right at work, making effective management of chemical risks a core responsibility.^[iii]

The second reason is regulatory compliance. Occupational health and safety laws typically require facilities to assess hazards, control exposure, train workers and monitor performance. An effective management system helps ensure these requirements are met consistently rather than on an ad hoc basis.

The third reason is supply chain transparency. As human rights and due diligence requirements continue to evolve, brands need credible information about working conditions and chemical exposure risks within their supply chains. Legislation such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, the French Duty of Vigilance law and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) reflect this growing expectation.^[iv]^,[v]

Systems-based assessments provide visibility into how facilities manage chemical exposure and workplace risks in practice, helping identify gaps, drive continuous improvement and support more informed sourcing decisions.

A holistic approach to chemical management

Worker health cannot be viewed in isolation. The same chemicals that pose risks during production can also affect surrounding communities through emissions and wastewater and, if poorly managed, could impact product safety.

For this reason, effective chemical management requires a holistic approach that considers potential impacts throughout the lifecycle of chemical use. Well-designed management systems help organizations address worker safety, environmental protection, community wellbeing and product stewardship through a coordinated and consistent framework.^[vi]

bluesign solutions

The bluesign System helps facilities identify, manage and reduce occupational health risks through a comprehensive approach to chemical management and facility performance. By evaluating worker safety alongside environmental performance, resource productivity, emergency preparedness and social responsibility, bluesign, an SGS company, provides a structured framework for assessing how chemical risks are managed in practice.

Through initiatives such as the bluesign CMR Solvent Phaseout Program, manufacturers can also reduce reliance on higher-risk substances while supporting safer workplaces and promoting more responsible chemical management practices across the value chain.

Find out more.

Discover more on the bluesign website.