Karnal MC holds safety session for 'safai sewaks'

To enhance workers’ awareness, safety and efficiency while performing drainage cleaning operations, a special safety training programme was organised for around 60 sewer workers at the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) office on Friday.

The training was conducted by safety professional Gaurav Kalia from HSE Prakash Consultancy, Panchkula.

The session was attended by technical expert Satish Sharma, technical advisor Sunil Bhalla and other officials of the KMC.

Vaishali Sharma, Commissioner of the KMC, said they had been organising several awareness and safety-related activities under the Haryana Swachh Shehar campaign 2025.

Dr Sharma said the programme had been designed to educate sewer workers about safety precautions and preventive measures to reduce the risk of accidents during sewer cleaning operations. Workers were instructed to use essential safety equipment such as masks, gumboots, oxygen cylinders, safety belts and ropes before entering any manhole.

They were also advised to open the covers of the manhole to be cleaned, as well as the nearby ones, a few minutes before entering to allow harmful gases to disperse. This practice helps in reducing the effects of dangerous gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

She said in areas where machines cannot operate, sewer workers must enter only with safety gear and follow all safety protocols. Special emphasis was laid on teamwork and adherence to safety procedures, especially during emergency situations.

After the session, sewer workers were given training certificates and provided safety kits containing essential protective equipment.