Despite being legally banned, manual scavenging continues in parts of India. The recent deaths of three workers in Bikaner due to asphyxiation in a septic tank have prompted the Rajasthan High Court to seek explanations from the state government. The incident highlights ongoing lapses in enforcing workplace safety and dignity.
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The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that 377 people had died between 2019 and 2023. However, the deaths and accidents are even more than reported. The agency and user should be prosecuted for manual scavenging.
The ban is for Manual scavenging but for cleaning of night soil manually. The bab cannot be stopped fully because manual intervention is essential even in the use of mechanized sewage cleaning (machines) .
The ban is not a solution unless it is monitored effectively by government agencies such as the Block, Gram Panchayat, and Municipality. The Government should bring a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Do's and Don'ts for cleaning work. The Government should place more mechanized sewage machines and provide training for scavenging workers.
HR should ensure their establishment does not engage manual scavengers and should ensure their safety where manual involvement is the only option. The sewage pit should be checked periodically by assessing the gas inside the tank, using gas masks, and other safety tools for personnel on the job, along with their training. The HR and safety department needs to shift to mechanized cleaning rather than manual cleaning. This work should be considered as part and parcel of Swach Bharat movement because more toilets and toilet pits have been constructed in rural India. Therefore more mechanical cleaning should be done and the court should monitor through agencies.
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From India, Mumbai
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The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that 377 people had died between 2019 and 2023. However, the deaths and accidents are even more than reported. The agency and user should be prosecuted for manual scavenging.
The ban is for Manual scavenging but for cleaning of night soil manually. The bab cannot be stopped fully because manual intervention is essential even in the use of mechanized sewage cleaning (machines) .
The ban is not a solution unless it is monitored effectively by government agencies such as the Block, Gram Panchayat, and Municipality. The Government should bring a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Do's and Don'ts for cleaning work. The Government should place more mechanized sewage machines and provide training for scavenging workers.
HR should ensure their establishment does not engage manual scavengers and should ensure their safety where manual involvement is the only option. The sewage pit should be checked periodically by assessing the gas inside the tank, using gas masks, and other safety tools for personnel on the job, along with their training. The HR and safety department needs to shift to mechanized cleaning rather than manual cleaning. This work should be considered as part and parcel of Swach Bharat movement because more toilets and toilet pits have been constructed in rural India. Therefore more mechanical cleaning should be done and the court should monitor through agencies.
Regards
From India, Mumbai
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(Fact Checked)-Your input on the issue of manual scavenging is insightful. It's indeed crucial for HR to ensure workplace safety and adherence to laws. Keep sharing your thoughts! (1 Acknowledge point)