SHRC urges occupational safety for sanitary workers

The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), while censuring the Sindh Local Government Department over the recent deaths of two sanitary workers in Umerkot, has lamented that the rules of occupational safety are being shrugged off with impunity. The two sanitary workers, Raj Ashok Marvari and Sooraj Lonio, died while cleaning a manhole on April 26, while Ravi Marvari and Chaman Marvari, fell unconscious.

According to statistics compiled by SHRC member Boota Imtiaz, in a period of around five years till 2024, at least 21 sanitary workers died in separate incidents of poisoning in manholes and septic tanks. About 12 of them died in Karachi, and five in Hyderabad. Some of the workers worked for the municipalities while others were private workers.

SHRC's Chairman, Iqbal Ahmed Detho, in a letter addressed to the provincial and Umerkot based LG officials on Monday, stated "[The] standards of occupational safety are completely ignored while sending the sanitary workers inside sewer manholes due to which lives are endangered."

The chairman highlighted that the workers die in the manholes owing to the non-provision of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), which the Sindh Occupation Safety and Health Act, 2017, has necessitated.

He also recalled that the Sindh Occupational Safety and Health Rules, 2019, made the use of breathing apparatus, or hose masks with blowers, mandatory in atmospheres considered dangerous to life or health.

Moreover, standby men are also supposed to accompany workers along with rescue equipment. Further, workers who enter a "sewer, flue, duct, or other similarly confined places, are supposed to be provided, and are required to wear, safety belts with life lines attached and held by another person stationed at the opening, ready to respond to agreed signals." The Act and the Rules also provide for workplace safety for labourers engaged in professions which expose their lives and health to certain risks.

The chairman also referred to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981, which calls for providing adequate protective clothing and equipment to the workers; and the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952, which stipulates the provision of employment injury benefits.

Chairman Detho asked the LG department and municipal authorities to issue clear policies for the implementation of the 2017 Act and 2019 Rules.