The death of two workers engaged in cleaning a drain on Sunday has brought to light the appalling conditions in which conservancy workers take up the task. Workers who perform an essential service for the city are given no safety gear before they enter drains. Most of them enter the drains through narrow manholes in regular clothing with no masks or protective clothing.
The workers were employed by a contractor, who had obtained an annual maintenance contract from the Kerala Water Authority for cleaning sewage drains. Sources said that both the contractor and workers were experienced in the work of cleaning drains. Some of the safety measures outlined by the KWA, however, are often ignored by contractors.
“It is mandatory for cleaning workers to wear masks while entering drains. It is a key precaution mentioned in the KWA statute. There are clear safety precautions to be followed as this is a very risky job,” said C.A. Vijayachandran, director of an organisation named Jala Saksharata Mission. Fire and Rescue Services personnel engaged in the rescue operation on Sunday said that the deceased were not wearing masks or any other protective gear.
Firemen also said that their lives may have been saved if the next manhole down the sewage line had been left open. “There would have been some more air circulation if a second manhole was open. But it was found shut when we went there,” said a fireman.
“It is a matter of practice for sewage cleaners to hold a lighted wick or candle at the mouth of the open manhole before opening it. If there is a high content of methane or other poisonous gases, the fire burns brighter and they do not enter the manhole right away,” said Mr. Vijayachandran. Rules also mandate that a KWA official of not lower than the rank of assistant engineer be on the spot when workers enter the drains. It is not clear whether these rules were followed on Sunday.
