NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ADVISORY ON PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF THF. PF.RSONS ENGAGED IN MANUAL SCAVENGING OR HAZARDOUS CLEANING The Commission issues this advisory to the Union and State Governments and -local authorities with an objective to ensure to provide security cover to workers involved in scavenging and other allied matters including hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks, and accordingly, make the following recommendations; 1. Ensuring proper protective gear/ safety equipment for sanitary workers: i. All sanitary workers entering/ clewing septic tanks/ sewer lines must be provided with helmet, safety jacket, gloves, mask, gumboots, safety eyeglasses, torchlight along with oxygen cylinder. Employers to ensure that no body part of the sanitary worker remains exposed while undertaking hazardous cleaning. ii. It should be the responsibility of the local authority/ hiring agency to provide all necessary personal protective gear/safety equipment to the sanitary workers irrespective of their type of employment, i.e., permanent, temporary, part-time or contractually hired/ engaged. 2. Leveraging the use of suitable and worker-friendly technology and robotic machines: i. ii. iii. iv. 3. Welfare schemes: responsibility and accountability of the hiring agency/employer i. ii. NHRC The States/ UTs and local bodies need to invest adequately for use of the latest technology and totally mechanize the cleaning of septic tanks, sewer lines or sewage treatment plants, etc. Use of duly acknowledged and recognized technological equipment e.g.. Bandicoot, Sewer Crocs, KAMJET GR, Mobile septage Treatment Unit (MTU), etc., be encouraged by all stakeholders. The Ministry of Urban and Housing Affairs needs to regularly update the Directory on Sewers and Septic Cleaning Equipment. The Government of India to explore the possibility of manufacturing of such equipment under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme or such other schemes for providing such mechanized equipment at affordable cost. The State Govenmient(s)/ local bodies should engage sanitary workers formally as required. Only the trained workers should be engaged in carrying hazardous cleaning work. Training program for this may be undertaken and certificate be provided. The hiring authority/employer must ensure that all sanitary workers are covered under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Pagel