- Emphasis on Safety Standards under the PEMSR Act 2013
- Practical Training Provided on the Use of Safety Equipment
Gurugram : The Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) organized a special training program to ensure safety during the cleaning of sewers and drains. This training was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013, and provided detailed information on safe sewer cleaning practices. The program was organized under the Namaste Yojana and Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge, reflecting MCG’s commitment to the safety, dignity, and respect of sanitation workers.
Practical Demonstration by Safety Expert at the Training
For the program, MCG invited Gaurav Kalia from Prakash Consultancy, an authorized safety professionals training agency associated with the Urban Local Bodies Department and PHED. During the training session, hands-on demonstrations and practical sessions were conducted on the correct use of safety equipment used in cleaning sewers and drains. Sanitation workers were given detailed instructions on the use of gas detectors, safety harnesses, oxygen support, helmets, gloves, and other safety kits.
Chief Engineer Emphasizes Strict Adherence to SOPs
The training program was inaugurated by Chief Engineer Vijay Dhaka. He emphasized the need for strict adherence to safety measures, precautions, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during sewer cleaning. He appealed to the sanitation workers to take the use of safety equipment seriously and to use them mandatorily while working in the field. He also informed that all MCG sanitation workers will be trained in a phased manner in monthly batches. Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya’s Strict Orders: Manual Scavenging Completely Prohibited
It is noteworthy that MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya recently issued strict instructions for the complete compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR Act 2013) and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and CPHEEO. Under these orders, practical training for sewer entry professionals has been made mandatory, manual scavenging and entering sewers without safety equipment are completely prohibited, and entry into sewers is permitted only in extremely emergency situations. In such cases, only trained professional sanitation workers will be allowed, and all prescribed safety protocols and SOPs must be followed without exception.
Sanitation Worker Representative Applauds the Move
Rakesh Valmiki, the head of the city’s sanitation workers, appreciated this initiative by the MCG. He appealed to all sewer workers to strictly adhere to safety standards during their duties to prevent any accidents. This initiative by the MCG is not only a strong step towards compliance with legal provisions but also a significant effort to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.