Section 6(3) in The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013
(3)The employer shall also ensure the following safety precautions before a person is engaged in the cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank, namely :-(a)There shall be a minimum of three employees present all the time, one of whom shall be a supervisor;(b)The atmosphere within the confined space shall be tested for oxygen deficiency and toxic and combustible gases including but not limited to poisonous gases like Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbon Monoxide, Methane, and gasoline vapours, through detection tests including the following :-(i)lowering a detector lamp into the manhole,(ii)inserting wet lead acetate paper which changes colour in the presence of hazardous gases,(iii)detection of gases through gas detector masks.(c)Before starting the cleaning under sub-rule (1) the supervisor referred to in clause (a) of sub-rule (3) has inspected and determined if the sewer serves any industries nearby to anticipate any hazardous atmosphere that may be encountered.(d)The condition of metal-rung ladders and the side walls of the manhole shall be checked to see if there is any danger of collapse.(e)Traffic and pedestrian barricades are provided all the times.(f)A flag man should be stationed at least 50 feet ahead of a site and should be visible to incoming traffic for at least 500 feet.(g)Regular medical check-up of sewage workers which shall include the examination of respiratory organs, skin injuries, and other occupational diseases and injuries for their treatment to ensure that sewage workers afflicted with such diseases or injuries do not enter sewers for cleaning.(h)Regular vaccination against respiratory and skin diseases and other occupational diseases to which these workers are prone due to exposure to harmful substances and gases in sewers.(i)All employees who are present on-site during cleaning work are given training and adequately familiarised with the knowledge to operate all equipments involved in cleaning work, to avoid injuries or diseases associated with such work and to take necessary steps in case of emergency arising at the place of work and the training shall be conducted every two years and the employees shall be familiarised with any changes in method and technique with respect to the above.(j)The supervisor possesses and keeps handy the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the nearest hospitals or clinics.(k)Cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank shall be done :-(i)only in day-light; and(ii)for a duration not exceeding 90 minutes, at a stretch. There shall be a mandatory interval of 30 minutes between two stretches.(l)Identify and close off or reroute any lines that might carry harmful substances to, or through, the work area.(m)Ensure that written operating and rescue procedures are displayed at the entry site.(n)If the entry is made through a top opening, use a housing device with a harness that suspends a person in an upright position and a mechanical device shall be available to retrieve personnel from vertical spaces more than five feet deep.(o)At least one person trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be immediately available during any confined space job.(p)Oxygen content in the manhole must be at least 19.5% in the confined space of the manhole measures at all levels (bottom, middle and top) and no person enters the manhole if oxygen level is below 19.5% and more than 21%.(q)Ventilate the sewer line by opening at least two or three manholes on both sides where work is to be carried out.(r)Manhole shall be opened at least one hour before the start of operation.(s)The opened manhole shall be properly fenced or barricaded to prevent any person, specially children, from accidentally falling into the sewer. Dummy cover with welded fabric or wire-net may be used.(t)All workers use the safety gear and safety devices before entering the sewer line.(u)The person entering the manhole or sewer line must be monitored using signal or camera or CCTV etc., throughout the operation period.(v)Structural safety of manhole rungs or steps must be tested before entering the manhole.(w)Portable aluminium ladder is available during the work period where necessary and the portable ladder is properly seated or fixed during use.(x)No material or tools are located near the edge which can fall into the manhole and injure the workman.(y)Equipments used during sewer cleaning are explosion and fire-proof.(z)Smoking, open flames are prohibited inside the manhole as well as in the immediate vicinity of open manholes.(za)In the event of a sudden or unpredictable atmospheric change, an emergency escape breathing apparatus with atleast a 10 minute air supply is worn.
