Latest news with #ProhibitionofEmploymentasManualScavengersandtheirRehabilitationAct
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Experts to analyse cause of deaths of cleaning workers at Delhi hospital
Police are roping in industrial and forensic experts to probe Tuesday's deaths of two workers, allegedly due to inhalation of toxic fumes while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank at a private hospital in west Delhi. The experts will help establish what led to the gas emissions and if there were any mechanical or technical faults in the STP, officers, two senior police officers said on Thursday. Police personnel at the construction site of Balaji Action hospital in Paschim Vihar on Wednesday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO) 'This will help us understand the circumstances under which the two labourers died. The experts will also help us to ascertain if the fumes inside the tank were strong enough to displace oxygen in the confined space (tank). We suspect that the labourers fainted and collapsed, allegedly after inhaling hydrogen sulphide and methane gases. However, we are waiting for the autopsy and forensic reports to corroborate the same,' said one of the officers familiar with the probe. The deceased — Brijesh, 26, and Vikram, 38, both from Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district — were employed by a private firm that had the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the STP at Sri Balaji Action Hospital, according to the police. On Tuesday around 6.30pm, Brijesh was the first to enter the tank and collapsed within two minutes, possibly after inhaling toxic gases. When he did not respond, other labourers ran to call for help. But by the time they returned, Vikram had gone in after him. He too fainted. Both were rushed to the hospital, where they were declared dead, police said. 'The supervisors and other officials of the private firm have joined our probe and we are recording their statements. Some officials of the hospital's safety department have also been questioned. Since a detailed technical investigation is needed in the case, we are roping in industrial, forensic and technical experts. The documents related to the AMC contract between the hospital and the private firm are also being examined,' said deputy commissioner of police (outer) Sachin Sharma. A case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for death by negligence, and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, was registered at Paschim Vihar East police station.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Police probe death of two labourers at Delhi hospital during maintenance work
New Delhi: Delhi Police is questioning hospital safety officials and contractor representatives after registering a case in connection with the deaths of two labourers at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. Police are planning to consult technical experts to understand the circumstances and systems involved in the assignment that turned fatal. "It's important to understand under what circumstances they were working, whether proper checks were there. As part of the investigation, we need to understand the sequence of events that led to the deaths of the two labourers, what could have been done, how exposed they were," said a senior officer. The deaths occurred on Tuesday when Birjesh (26) and Vikram (30), both from Uttar Pradesh, lost consciousness while working on a carbon filter system during the maintenance work. The contractor was operating under an annual maintenance contract with the hospital. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "It's still unclear what exact component the two men were working on, whether it was part of the sewage treatment system or another filtration unit," the officer said. The victims' family members and co-workers have alleged that both victims lacked experience with carbon filter systems and weren't provided safety gear. Police have registered a case under Section 106 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for death by negligence and Section 9 of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act at Paschim Vihar East police station.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Daily wagers die cleaning STP tank at west Delhi hospital
Two daily wage workers died at a private hospital in west Delhi's Paschim Vihar on Tuesday evening, allegedly after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a sewage treatment plant (STP) tank on the hospital premises, police said on Wednesday. Though the FIR does not name any suspects, a senior police officer said investigations will cover the hospital administration, the private firm, and its supervisors. (Sanchit Khanna/ HT Photo) The deceased — Brijesh, 26, and Vikram, 38, both from Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district — were employed by a private firm that had the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the STP at Sri Balaji Action Hospital, according to the police. Senior officers said the labourers were provided only blue disposable masks and no other protective or life-saving equipment. The incident occurred around 6.30pm on Tuesday. A case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for death by negligence, and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, has been registered at Paschim Vihar East police station. Deputy commissioner of police (outer) Sachin Sharma said action was taken following the medico-legal reports from the hospital. 'The workers were declared dead by the attending doctor. Initial investigation revealed that both had lost consciousness while engaged in the maintenance of a carbon filter. The work was being undertaken by the AMC contractor,' Sharma said. Though the FIR does not name any suspects, a senior police officer said investigations will cover the hospital administration, the private firm, and its supervisors. 'Those found responsible for the negligence that led to the deaths will be prosecuted as per law,' the officer said, requesting anonymity. Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the manual cleaning of sewers, septic tanks or STPs without protective gear and proper safety measures is strictly prohibited. The law holds employers — including contractors and institutions — criminally liable in case of hazardous cleaning-related deaths, with provisions for imprisonment and fines. Despite the ban, such incidents continue to occur across the country, often due to lax enforcement and the use of informal labour. Dr Sunil Sumbli, medical superintendent and head of medical services at Action Balaji Hospital, declined to comment on the matter. Attempts to contact Friends Enviro Engineers, the contractor firm located at 136, Nehru Market, Badarpur, New Delhi, via phone calls and messages went unanswered. Vikram's cousin, Shatrughan Gautam, 22, also a daily wage worker at the hospital, said he was present when the incident occurred. He alleged that no proper safety equipment was provided to the labourers during the maintenance work. 'Five of us, including Brijesh and Vikram, were asked to stay after 5pm for the STP maintenance. We were given only blue disposable masks,' he said. Describing the sequence of events, Gautam said Brijesh was the first to enter the tank and collapsed within two minutes, possibly after inhaling toxic gases. 'When he didn't respond, we ran to call for help. But by the time we returned, Vikram had gone in after him. He too fainted. Brijesh's body had started turning black. Vikram's hadn't,' he said. Gautam blamed two sub-contractors — Praveen Mishra and Arvind Mishra — for the deaths. 'Brijesh had told them earlier that he was getting headaches from the fumes. Still, they insisted he enter the tank. We don't know if Vikram went in voluntarily or was told to,' he said. Fire department officials later rescued the men and rushed them to the hospital, where they were declared brought dead. Gautam said the labourers were told that chemical materials needed to be poured into the tank and levelled manually. 'There were at least 20 bags of chemicals and materials to be spread out by foot. The supervisors said human help was essential to finish the work and that we could leave only after it was done,' he said. The labourers were being paid around ₹430 per day, according to their colleagues. They typically reported to work at 8am and finished by 5pm. Vikram is survived by his wife, four children, and his parents. Brijesh is survived by his wife and parents. Santosh Gautam, also in his 20s, and a daily wage electrician at the same hospital, said neither of the deceased had any formal training in tank maintenance or dealing with toxic gases. 'Vikram was my cousin. He had joined barely 15–20 days ago. We didn't know he was being asked to clean or work inside the tanks,' he said. DCP Sharma said a crime scene team and forensic experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were called in for a thorough inspection and documentation, including scene photography. The bodies were later sent to a government hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination. 'A case has been registered under relevant sections of law. The investigation is under way,' he added.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
FIR against man who died to save worker in septic tank in Faridabad
Faridabad: An FIR was registered against the owner of a house who died while attempting to rescue a daily wager cleaning his septic tank last month. The case was registered on Wednesday morning against Mukesh, who sold eggs in Sikri village, under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. It was registered following a complaint by Anita, wife of the deceased worker Anand. On May 14, Anand and his colleague Ravi were hired by Mukesh to clean a choked septic tank at his house in the city. Without any safety equipment, both workers descended into the tank. While Ravi managed to escape, Anand collapsed after inhaling toxic fumes. Mukesh, who jumped in to rescue Anand, also succumbed to the gases. Responding to the family's alarm, neighbours rushed to pull out both victims using ropes. They were taken to the Civil Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. The police were informed after that. "A leakage in the septic tank caused asphyxia. They had started to clean a small drain entry, but were told to clean the entire septic tank without proper safety equipment. Entering underground tanks full of toxic gases and without protective gear is extremely dangerous," said Vinod, the SHO of Sector 58 police station. Cases were registered against Mukesh under Section 106 of BNS (causing death by negligence) and Section 9 of the Manual Scavengers Act. Anand, who lived with his sister in Sikri village, is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Hans India
ULBs urged to take care of sewer workers
Vijayawada: The Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA & UD) has issued orders to the Urban Local Bodies to implement the rules related to The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR Act, 2013). S Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, MA &UD, on Friday stated that Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, deals with the provisions of hazardous cleaning, insanitary latrine and manual scavengers, identification of Insanitary Latrines, providing sanitary latrines, identification of manual scavengers and their rehabilitation. He said the Supreme Court issued directions on implementation of PEMSR Act, 2013, in its judgment dated October 20, 2023. He said the Andhra Pradesh High Court emphasised the timely payment of compensation and provision of full rehabilitation measures, including employment to the spouse, education to the children, and appropriate skill training to the kin of the deceased sewer workers. In the event of a sewer or septic tank death, the kin must get compensation as per the orders. Suresh Kumar has issued orders to the municipal commissioners to safeguard the safety and welfare of the workers and gave guidelines that are to be followed. All cleaning operations shall be fully mechanised forthwith. He asked officials to ensure that no person is engaged in such activities, and that all cleaning operations is done using appropriate mechanical means and safety equipment & manual entry into sewers or septic tanks shall be strictly prohibited under all circumstances. In exceptional cases where manual intervention is unavoidable, prior approval must be obtained from the concerned Commissioner of the ULB and all prescribed safety equipment must be provided in accordance with the PEMSR Act, 2013. In the event of a sewer or septic tank death, irrespective of whether the deceased was employed directly, indirectly, or through a contractor, an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 30,00,000 shall be mandatorily paid to the next of kin by the concerned agency. It has to be ensured that FIRs are promptly registered against any individual, agency, or contractor under Sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 of PEMSR Act, 2013 in all reported or identified instances of manual scavenging. Ensure provision of full rehabilitation of the deceased worker's family, including: Employment to one eligible family member. Free Education to the children and skill development training and livelihood support. Set up a dedicated helpline or mechanism for reporting violations and grievances related to manual scavenging, ensuring its prompt redressal. Suresh Kumar issued instructions to the commissioners of the Urban Local Bodies to create awareness among municipal staff, contractors, and the public on the legal prohibitions and penalties associated with manual scavenging and the rights and rehabilitation measures available to the affected persons. He further instructed to provide training to municipal staff on safe sanitation practices and the legal obligations under the Act and Court directions.
