Sanitation workers in India sacrifice their life and dignity to maintain a city’s civic infrastructure. The current methodology of manual entry for sewer and septic tank cleaning often results in occupational health hazards or fatalityfatalities. While the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSRA, 2013)” has specifically laid down the procedures to be followed before, during and post a man’s entry, the ULBs ULB’s lack of hardware for compliance to these implementation rules leads to premature deaths of the sanitation workers thereby completely crippling their family, both economically and socially.

Kam Rescue Van, India’s first chassis-mounted emergency rescue van, is under the approval stage with CPHEEO. The Kam Rescue Van enables a ULB to comply with the procedures to be followed before, during and post a person’s entry to prevent illnesses and death, as laid down in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. The Kam Rescue Van possesses the required hardware (personal protective equipment, safety devices, tools, etc.) for the compliance and implementation ofto comply and implement these procedures. It maximizes maximises the safety of the sanitation workers and minimizes minimises fatalities and other health hazards.

Implementation & Impact

While the service of Kam Rescue Van has not been operationalised yet, it is expected to create a huge impact as the facility will improve the working conditions of sanitation workers, and will reduce the fatality rate among them. The sanitation workers would now enter the sewer under the prescribed working conditions and be adequately prepared as per the directions given by PEMSRA, 2013 on wearing the PPE. The working conditions for the sanitation workers would be much safer and more hygienic. The fatality rate is also expected to come down drastically. The service will also eliminate the cost incurred for medical expenses due to the occupational health hazards suffered.

Kam-Avida Enviro Engg. Pvt. Ltd. also plans to conduct a behavioral change campaign for the Swachhagrahis to create awareness amongst them onof the importance of adopting safety measures.