Four laborers perish in septic tank due to fatal poisoning by noxious fumes, after accepting job offer with added payment
Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a tragic accident, four workers succumbed to toxic fumes after entering a septic tank at a jewel factory in the Sitapura Industrial Area on Monday night. The victims were identified as Sanjeev Pal, Himanshu Singh, Rohit Pal, and Arpit Yadav.
Two other workers, Ajay Chauhan and Rajpal, were admitted to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in critical condition, while Amit Pal and Suraj Pal were discharged after primary treatment.
The incident took place in the G-Block of the Jewellery Zone, where the workers entered the 10-foot-deep septic tank to retrieve gold and silver particles. Initial reports suggest that the company management persuaded them with the promise of extra money, despite their initial refusal due to intense heat and toxic gases.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the septic tank, believed to contain a chemical sludge, was periodically cleaned to extract gold and silver residues from the manufacturing and cleaning processes.
The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission has taken notice of the incident and issued notices to the Jaipur Collector and Police Commissioner, expecting them to conduct an immediate investigation, take action against the guilty, submit a report, and provide compensation to the deceased workers' dependents.
The Commission has also addressed the Achal Jewelers Private Limited's owner and CEO, expecting them to compensate the workers' families directly.
In light of this incident, concerns over safety regulations for cleaning septic tanks in India have been raised, particularly in industrial settings. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, mandates the use of protective gear and mechanized cleaning where possible to ensure worker safety.
However, challenges persist due to informal labor practices and inadequate enforcement, leading to unsafe working conditions in many instances. The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, launched in July 2023, aims to formalize and rehabilitate sanitation workers, providing training, health insurance, and occupational safety measures, which may indirectly improve safety standards in industrial settings like jewel factories.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed concern over similar incidents in various parts of the state, asserting that more action is needed to address these safety issues.
- The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission has emphasized the need for improved mental health policies and legislation, considering the severe impact such accidents can have on the families of deceased workers, potentially leading to long-term mental health issues.
- As the tragedy unfolds in the Sitapura Industrial Area of Jaipur, key figures in policy-and-legislation, health-and-wellness, and mental-health sectors are calls to examine the general-news landscape and assess how such incidents can be prevented in the future, with a specific focus on crime-and-justice ramifications for the guilty parties.
- In response to the incident, leaders in science, politics, and the broader community have focused on the need for up-to-date knowledge and practices, especially in the field of waste management and safety regulations for industries like jewelry manufacturing, making it essential for ongoing education and awareness campaigns to promote worker well-being and general safety standards.
