Social audit reveals over 90% of sewer death victims lacked safety gear
A social audit commissioned by the Union government revealed that over 90% of workers who died in sewer and septic tank cleaning in 2022 and 2023 lacked safety gear or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. Out of 54 deaths examined, 47 workers had no equipment, and only a few had minimal gear like gloves or gumboots. The audit also found that in 27 cases, workers' informed consent was not taken, and in 45 deaths, agencies lacked equipment readiness. These findings highlight the severe lack of safety protocols despite the government's declaration that manual scavenging has ended, prompting the launch of the NAMASTE scheme to address hazardous cleaning.
Key Points
- A social audit found that 90% of workers who died in sewer cleaning incidents in 2022-2023 lacked safety gear.
- Informed consent was not obtained from workers in a majority of the cases, and agencies lacked equipment readiness.
- Most workers were contracted personally or individually, rather than being formally employed.
- The Union government has launched the NAMASTE scheme to address hazardous cleaning and provide PPE kits to workers.
Exam Facts
- Social audit commissioned by the Social Justice Ministry.
- 54 sewer deaths in 17 districts across 8 States/UTs were examined.
- 150 people died due to hazardous cleaning in 2022 and 2023.
- NAMASTE scheme launched in July 2023.
- NAMASTE scheme identified 84,902 sewer and septic tank workers in 36 States and UTs.
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