SOP For High-Risk Sewer Cleaning Issued By UP Govt, Says Manual Cleaning Should Be Avoided

Lucknow, December 22 (TNA) All local bodies and water resources departments have been directed to ensure that manual cleaning of high-risk sewers and septic tanks is avoided. It should be ensured that machines are used for cleaning work.

To prevent deaths while cleaning sewers and septic tanks, the Urban Development Department has issued 'Standard of Operating Procedure' (SOP). All local bodies and water resources departments have been directed to ensure that manual cleaning of high-risk sewers and septic tanks is avoided. It should be ensured that machines are used for cleaning work.

In the order issued by the Urban Development Department, it has been said that sanitation workers should be given training from time to time so that there is less risk to their lives. The department has said that the orders given by the Supreme Court in this regard on October 20 should also be followed.

After the order was received from the Urban Development Department, the Local Government Directorate has asked all the urban bodies to fully implement the SOP issued in the past and currently. Director Local Government Dr Nitin Bansal has said that carrying out unsafe cleaning is a legal offence. Entry into sewers without proper safety measures should be prohibited.

He has said that where work is being done, all safety arrangements including first aid and oxygen should be in place so that employees can be saved in case of emergency. It is mandatory for the employees engaged in sewer cleaning work to be trained and have a valid I-card. Sewer cleaning work should be done at a time when there is the least amount of sewerage in the sewer.