The news of the death of two people who went to clean a drain, and another person who tried to save them, due to suffocation reveals faults in our safety system.
First, workers do not get special training or special equipment or information about the dangers involved before entering a drain. Second, it is a common practice to put one’s life in danger to save others in any dangerous situation without any preparation or experience.
Third, it is not the first time such accidents are happening in Kerala, especially the death of one or more people while cleaning old wells is common.
After expressing condolences and giving compensation, we do not pay adequate attention to such incidents.
Entering narrow places is an important subject in the study of workplace safety. Since people cannot exit and rescue personnel cannot enter the place immediately when there is an accident, the chances of escape are less.
Be aware of danger: Whether it is a drain or a tanker or a well, before working in narrow places, those who are going to work there and people who make them do that work should know the dangers involved.
Understand danger: If we think a little, we will be able to find out the danger. It is clear that danger lurks in places where petroleum or chemicals are stored. Many times the problem in old wells is the presence of more methane and less oxygen.
The main villain in drains and sewage tanks is sulphur dioxide. Precautions must be taken after considering these factors.
Inspection is necessary: Danger must be assessed before entering narrow places. Equipment needed for this is cheap. Equipment that measures the level of oxygen or hydrogen sulphide does not cost even Rs 1,000. They are not even as complex as operating a mobile phone. Such accidental deaths that we hear about in Kerala can be averted through this inspection.
Similarly, the temperature inside the tank and the chances of fire breaking out can be easily checked.
Training is necessary: Cleaning wells and drains is often set aside for workers from other states. In reality, it is a specialised job. If people who do such work are given at least one week’s training and if it is insisted that only trained people should do such work, it can be turned into a safe sector to work.
Personal protective equipment: As per the place and chemicals, many pieces of personal protective equipment are compulsory for people who enter narrow places. In some places even respirators will be needed. But safety harness tied around the hip is compulsory for everyone (to lift a person if necessary). The other end of it must be held by a person standing outside.
Compulsory first-aid training: People who do any job must know the basics of first aid. It should be made common by including it in the Skill India initiative. Then people can be saved from any accident.
Cautious bravery: Rescue is an activity that should be done after training and preparation. Impulsive rescue missions often lead to greater danger. Not doing anything is inhumane. Hence, what we should do is to encourage the government to create a system to assess danger in each job and to practise it in our personal life.
(The writer is the head of disaster risk reduction division of UN Environment Programme and a Keralite. These are his personal opinions)
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