Sanitary workers clean sewer lines without safety gear in Pallipalayam municipality

NAMAKKAL: Sanitary workers were reportedly seen cleaning blocked sewer lines without wearing protective gear in Pallipalayam municipality in Salem district.

After recent rain, several areas in the municipality faced issues with blocked sewer lines. Sewer-mixed rainwater overflowed in several areas. The municipality sent sanitation workers to resolve these blockages. However, sanitary workers were working under unsafe conditions without wearing gloves and other protective gear, residents said.

"The Tamil Nadu govt has been advised by the courts, including the Madras high court, on multiple occasions to train sanitary workers to utilise appropriate safety gear when handling waste," said Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) spokesman Dr PV Senthil. However, the recommendations were not followed, he said.

“Given the current inability to differentiate between hazardous and non-hazardous waste in public spaces, there is an increasing concern about the potential risks this poses to sanitary workers,” he added.

“People suffering from diseases are likely to spit in public areas. Sanitary workers contract diseases when they use bare hands to remove blocks," Senthil remarked.

Senthil urged the Pallipalayam municipality to educate its sanitary workers on the importance of using proper safety gear.

When TOI contacted him for a comment, Pallipalayam municipality commissioner V Dayalan stated that all sanitary workers were equipped with safety gear like gumboots, gloves and helmets while cleaning the sewer lines. "We continuously educate them to use the safety gear at all times," he added, assuring that he would ensure compliance moving forward.