Training, safety equipment must for sewer men

Free healthcare must  

Sewer workers are an underrated community in society. People are aware of hygiene and maintenance, but are unaware of those who facilitate clean drainage and sewerage system. The work of sewer workers is devoid of any respect and people often bargain about their wages for this tough and important job. When they are the ones looking after the unhygienic work for us, we should think about their health too. The government should give them free medical facilities and they should be accepted as an integral part of our society. People should help them financially or in any other way if needed. 

Gurleen Kaur

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Train workers in using safety kits

In the past few months, several sewer workers have become unconscious and died while cleaning the choked sewers. It has been reported that neither are they working with safety kits nor have they been trained to use them. Therefore, it becomes the duty of the department concerned to give a safety kit to every worker and also to train them in using in the safety kits.

Ashwani K Malhotra

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Initiate team work

Team work can be initiated to ensure the safety of sewer workers. The government should provide them with basic amenities such as healthcare and insurance. Prior to sending them down into the sewerages, their health check-up must be conducted. Workers should be well-equipped with technological instruments such as helmets with a light on them, bluetooth to intimate the coworkers, cleaning machine to finish the work in time. 

Tanvi Singh 

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Purchase cleaning machines

Recently, various incidents of sewermen fainting during sewerage cleaning work have surfaced. Following which, the sewermen have raised the demand that there should be a ban on manual cleaning. In the past four months, four such incidents have taken place. In a recent incident, a sewer worker was asked to go for cleaning where he inhaled the poisonous gas. Proper safety kits must be given to every sewer worker. Not only this, they should also be trained about how to use the kit, which should include a mask, gum boots, gloves, oxygen cylinders and safety belts. The MC should purchase cleaning machines so that the workers do not have to enter the manholes. The government must appoint officials to check the working of the MC so that no sewer worker is allowed to enter sewerage without safety equipment. 

Manpriya Kaur

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Maintain first-aid kit

Working near or in a manhole inherits potential dangers which may result in serious accidents and health issues — falls/slips, fire or explosion, oxygen depletion, gas poisoning, heat stress, drowning, asphyxiation arising from gas, fume, vapour and entrapment by free-flowing solid. There is a need for giving proper equipment, adequate protection and safety gears to sewer workers who enter manholes for clearing blocks. When workers are employed in sewers and manholes, the contractors should make sure that the manhole covers are opened and ventilated at least for an hour before the workers are allowed to get in. The area around the manhole should be cordoned off with railing and warning signals to avoid any road accident. There should also be a worker appointed to be outside the manhole while the work is being completed in case assistance is needed. A first-aid kit should always be maintained by the employer. 

Manpreet Kaur

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Safety training must for all employees

Proper safety training is necessary for all employees, especially, if there is a risk for potential injury associated with a job. The MC should provide employees with written instructions and safe work procedures. The sewer workers should be supervised to ensure that they are following safety instructions while working. First-aid kit should be given to them. Signs, signals, barricades or flagmen should be there on roads if cleaning work is underway. Gloves are one of the most common safety equipment which can be used as a barrier between the skin and infections from surfaces. Employees should also be warned about touching their nose, eyes, mouth, face or any open cuts or sores while working. Other safety equipment such as harnesses, rescue ropes, breathing apparatus, protective clothing and safety helmets should also be given to the workers. When proper training meets the right safety equipment, risk to life and health can be curtailed. The government should make plans for free monthly medical checkups for workers so that their diseases can be diagnosed in time.

Ravleen kaur

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Engage experienced personnel 

While entering a sewer or a manhole for cleaning, it is advisable to maintain efficient ventilation, either natural or forced. The MC officials concerned should make sure that the manhole has sufficient oxygen and is free from toxic gases before a worker enters it. Only safety, explosion-proof electric lighting equipment or mirrors should be used. To avoid illness or disease due to waterborne microorganisms and blood-borne pathogens, a technician must be properly inoculated. Moreover, machines for suction, jetting and suction-cum-jetting should be used for cleaning sewerages. Besides this, only those experienced in the task and familiar with the dangers involved should be allowed to enter the sewerage systems. 

Ravi Chander Garg

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Govt should initiate welfare schemes

Sewer workers earn their livelihood by exposing themselves to the risk of infections and health hazards. There workers are usually illiterate and unskilled, thus, are often left with taking odd jobs to make their ends meets. Several workers die because of the unhealthy and infectious work environment. The government should take initaitives for the welfare of these workers. 

Karanpreet Kaur

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Use remote-controlled robotic cameras  

Sewer workers have a tough job to perform as besides the tedious work, they are exposed to several skin and other diseases such as vomiting, eye infection, and breathing problems.  Germs may enter their bodies through cuts, inhalation and whipping face with contaminated hands or gloves. Exposure to sewage should be eliminate or minimised by using remote-controlled robotic cameras or sewerage inspection. Sewer workers should be provided with personal protective equipment which may include water-resistant gloves, footwear, eye gear, etc. Adequate welfare facilities, including clean water, soap and disposable towels, should be given to them.

Abhilasha singh 

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Team assistance is required

As a doctor requires a competent and well-experienced team to perform a surgery, a sewer worker needs a dedicated team to perform the task. A sewer worker is exposed to foul smell and filthy water and the gas of the chamber where he works is poisonous and combustible. Recently, a sewer worker in Khanna got burn injuries as someone near to the chamber where he was working threw a burning splinter and consequently the gas caught fire. Sometimes the gas in the chamber causes asphyxia and can result in a sewer worker's death. Besides, a sewer worker is always prone to infections due to the germs, bacteria and the virus present in the dirty and contaminated water. A team should assist and supervise the work of a sewer worker. Sometimes, he has to immerse himself in the water so at least two persons should be present for rescue in case of any eventuality. He should be provided with a safety kit consisting of light-weight waterproof clothes, an oxygen cylinder and emergency medicines, etc. He must be imparted training before he starts his job. It will be always better and safe to perform the de-silting and cleaning operation at night, as the water-level in chambers is comparatively low. Every precautionary measure must be taken to ensure safety and security. Light arrangements should be proper for visibility.

SK Mittal

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Conduct regular check-ups   

The authorities must provide safety equipment to sewer men. Besides, proper training should be given to them so that they do not fall ill. Regular check ups should be conducted as they are more prone to various diseases.

Ekroop Kaur

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Following safety regulations is best line of defence

A lot of risk is involved in cleaning sewer inside a manhole. Generally, it is important to follow safety regulations while performing the task and it is the best line of defence. Water-borne diseases are a major concern for sewer men. At present, the NIOSH, a federal agency, has no official recommendations regarding vaccinations for the sewer workers. The use of protective equipment is very essential as it keeps contaminates at bay. Personal protective equipment should be handled and disposed of properly. The workers should use gloves to prevent skin abrasions. Workers should eat in a clean area, away from sewage drains. 

Devna Munjal

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Enhance capacity of pipes, sewage plants  

On the one side, we are talking about virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotic technology, e-business and digitisation of various services and on the other, human beings are being treated inhuman ways. They are forced to enter sewers filled with poisonous gasses, dirt and filth. They have to work under unhygienic conditions and do not get safety devices before entering sewer. There are many ways which should be implemented for the safety of sewer men. If a private organisation wants to get the sewers cleaned, the firm should give it in writing to the MC. Thereafter, civic body officials may send their workers with proper kits that include shoes, masks and oxygen cylinders. The civic body should use machines to clean sewage instead of using humans. Machines may be imported from foreign countries. Work should be carried out under the supervision of experts. If anybody is working without the notice of the MC, the responsibility should be fixed on that person. Others should not be held responsible. There are various machines which are invented endogenously. Student of BVM, a local school, have invented a machine known as ‘smart sewage shooter’. People should not throw rubbish in sewage to avoid it from being choked. The capacity of pipes and sewage plants in each area should be enhanced. There is a need for a proper planning before laying pipes meant for sewage. Men should not be forced to clean sewage as it may pose a threat to their life. We all should cooperate and assist the authorities to get rid of this problem. 

Dr. Mohd Saleem Farooqui

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Provide bio-hazardous suits to sewer men 

Sewage poses a threat to lives and becomes a reason for skin infections and tuberculosis. In India, we still utilise the services of humans to clean sewer. It is derogatory and a violation of the basic human rights. But if we are forcing people do the job, the least we can do is to provide them with proper bio-hazardous suits which will protect them from coming in direct contact with the waste. The authorities concerned should also get proper medical check ups conducted of workers. They should also make arrangements for their treatment, if required. The cleaning up of sewers can not be performed by one or two persons as it is team work. There is a need for providing workers radios or walkie-talkie to communicate with each other. 

Sanjana Vij

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Civic body should set up training centres  

Sewer workers perform the most difficult task to keep the city neat and clean. It is the responsibility of the MC to take care of them. While appointing sewer workers, the MC must ensure that they have full knowledge of the work. The civic body should establish training centres, where experts apprise them of their duties. An artificial situation must be created at the training centres and proper testing must be done in that situation before assigning duties to them. The MC should provide tools and equipment to them and they must be aware of the uses of the equipment. They should know how to use them safely. Moreover in order to keep them healthy, vaccination must be done on time at free of cost. 

Ritu Priya

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Provide free medical facilities   

To ensure the safety of sewer workers, the government should take some initiatives. It should make waterproof uniform for them. Besides, the government should provide them free medical facilities from time to time as they help us keep our surroundings clean. Sewer men play an important role in cleaning manholes. Contractors should give them proper training to clean up the manholes and give them proper equipment. The Municipal Corporation should also take necessary steps for the benefits of sewer workers. 

Bismanpreet Kaur 

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Swachh Bharat not possible without them 

Chocked sewerage systems are a common sight in the city. The sewer men do a commendable job. They toil hard so that we can have clean surroundings. So, it becomes our moral duty to be concerned about their safety. Private companies, which hire these workers, should be held directly responsible for any mishappening with them while cleaning the sewer. They should not be allowed by the company to go into the manhole without a gear, helmet and mask. The poisonous gases in the chamber even lead to the death of these workers. Besides, they should be educated not to enter manholes without proper safety. In a number of cases, it is seen that in spite of having all safety equipment, the workers go into the chambers without safety measures due to ignorance. So it is the sole responsibility of the agency to make sure that no worker enters the manholes without safety equipment. They are an integral part of society. Without them, the Swachh Bharat Mission can’t be achieved. 

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi 

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Ambulances must be on standby to ensure safety 

The MC authorities must provide kits to them to ensure their safety. They should be provided with good masks, body guards and oxygen cylinders. Provisions for safety such as first-aid kits must be made available to them instantly. Ambulances must be on standby to ensure further safety. These workers must be provided training by the authorities concerned. Well-trained workers should be permitted to do the task. 

Karanvir Singh

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Adopt mechanical sweeping 

In India, the number of deaths of sewer workers has been increased in the recent past. Several measures should be taken by the government to ensure their safety. Proper suits, including gloves, headgears, eye protectors and face masks, should be provided to these workers. Equipment with high-tech technology should be given to them. Besides, they must get proper sanitation facilities. Last but not the least, manual scavenging should be banned in the developing nation such as India and techniques of mechanical sweeping should be adopted.

Komal Beri

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OPEN HOUSE COMMENT

Give them the right to lead a dignified life

Minna Zutshi

The safety of sanitation workers remains an unaddressed issue. The administration wakes up to it only when there is an accident jeopardizing the life of sanitation worker(s). Sewer pits become death traps for these workers. This is despite a ban on manual scavenging and stringent rules against hazardous cleaning. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, states: "Hazardous cleaning by an employee in relation to a sewer or septic tank means its manual cleaning by such employee without the employer fulfilling his obligation to provide protective gear and other cleaning devices and ensuring observance of safety precautions." Unfortunately, the safe working conditions for sanitation workers are still a very distant dream. While cleaning manually the clogged sewer lines/ septic tanks, the safai workers (or labour employed as safai workers) die of asphyxiation. Hardly any safety precautions are taken by those employing them for the work. No protective gear is provided to workers. Civil society and non-governmental organisations have to wake up to the problem that robs a human of his right to live and lead a life of dignity. Is the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis listening?

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OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

Next week’s question: How can we make Ludhiana city clean and green?  [email protected]