Many workers have died in their dormitories when fires break out below them. Despite the ban, such factories are still found among small TVEs as well as in big joint ventures and foreign enterprises. Three years ago, a major supplier of Nike and Reebok was found to have its dormitory inside or on the roof of the factory building. GoodWorks failed to investigate whether Nike shoes were still being made in such dangerous facilities. GoodWorks was silent about the use of hazardous chemicals, a common problem in factories in China.
Protective equipment is substandard at best.
The footwear industry is a prime user of dangerous chemicals. Glue is indispensable in the production of footwear products, and many glues present serious health risks to workers. Benzene, a glue component banned in the United States, is widely used in China. The factories also use large quantities of thinners which can cause cancer. GoodWorks not only refused to address the living wage issue, they failed to examine whether laws regarding minimum wage and overtime pay were being respected, as stipulated in Nike's code of conduct.