Lucknow: Aimed at promoting the safety of sanitation workers and safe sewer cleaning practices, the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) organized a two-day training program on “Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Sanitation” on June 29 and 30, 2026. The program sought to raise awareness among officials from Urban Local Bodies and sanitation workers regarding safe operating procedures, modern technologies, and workplace safety.
As part of the training, a special technical session titled “Practical Demonstration on Safe Desludging (Spot, Map, and Equip)” was held on June 30. During this session, Pankaj Singh, Health and Safety Officer at Suez India, shared detailed information with the attending officials, engineers, and sanitation workers about the international-standard safety protocols and practices adopted by Suez.
In his presentation, Pankaj Singh highlighted that Suez strictly adheres to protocols such as 100% PPE compliance, gas testing using multi-gas detectors, work permit systems, safety training, SOP-based manhole entry, a ban on manual scavenging, the deployment of dedicated safety officers, and rigorous risk assessments. He emphasized that no employee is permitted to enter a sewer or manhole without full compliance with all safety standards.
Participants showed keen interest in Suez’s safety systems and practical experiences, gaining valuable technical insights into safe sewer operations. Experts at the event emphasized that the use of modern technology, regular training, and strict adherence to safety regulations are essential to ensuring the safety of sanitation workers’ lives.
This training program is viewed as a significant initiative towards promoting safe sanitation management; it is expected to enhance the capabilities of sanitation workers in urban areas and make sewer cleaning operations safer and more effective.
