Risking lives for a cleaner Pune

Facing the highest risk are the workers of Kasba Peth, Chavan slum site and Dhole Patil Road, where the level of hydrogen sulphide a potential killer in confined spaces is above 5 parts per million and oxygen levels are below normal in most sites. 8220;At none of the sites do the workers carry out pre-entry checks before entering the manholes,8221; says Dr Abhay Shukla of the SHS, who found that the lead acetate strips and the gas detector boughtby the PMC after two workers were killed when they inhaled methane gas in November, are still languishing unused in the ward offices. 78 per cent are suffering from respiratory disorders, 74 per cent from musculoskeletal problems after lifting the manhole lid weighing 100-150 kilos 66 per cent have eye problems and 12 per cent have skin infections, as reported over the last year. Yet, most prefer private doctors to the PMC Hospital, says the study. 8220;The masks provided by the PMC are useless against toxic fumes,8221; says Mukta Manohar, Joint Secretary of the PMC Kamgar Union. 8220;Our workers have not been trained or motivated to use the gas detector, and gloves have not been distributed to anyone.8221; Gas masks apart, even first-aid kits, harness belts, head-lamps and soap and water are not available at the ward offices, where the workers assemble before and after shifts, says the report. Deputy City Engineer R T Shelkande insists that written guidelines have been provided to the 12 ward offices and that theunions have been repeatedly urged to use the safety equipment. 48 per cent who have been repeatedly exposed to this for more than five years, are at risk of suffering from leptospirosis a water-borne infection causing fever, jaundice and bleeding disorders, breathlessness, chronic asthma, dizziness, skin or eye irritations, acid burns and rodent bites, for there is no method of rodent control in the manholes.