2 die after inhaling poisonous gas in Noida sewer

NOIDA: Two workers who collapsed allegedly after inhaling toxic fumes inside a sewer that they were sent to clean without basic safety gear died during treatment in a hospital. The duo had been assigned the job by a private garment manufacturer in Phase 2 area.

According to police, Sonu Singh (30), a resident of Bulandshahr who worked for Radnik Garments, and Shyam Babu (46) of Etah were asked by the private firm to clean the clogged sewer in front of the company’s premises at the Hosiery Complex on Monday evening.
“Around 6pm, the two men had stepped in to clean the sewer but lost consciousness allegedly after inhaling toxic gases emanating from it,” additional deputy commissioner of police (central Noida) Elamaran G said.
Police said the two men were pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital by the other workers at the complex. One of them succumbed to injuries late on Monday night and the other died early on Tuesday.
“The families of the two labourers lodged a complaint against the firm on Tuesday but withdrew it later, saying they did not want any action. The company management, it seems, has promised to give compensation to the next of kin,” DCP (central Noida) Harish Chandar told TOI. Sources in the company said it had agreed to pay around Rs 10-12 lakh to each family.
“We have sent the two bodies for autopsy. According to eyewitnesses, the two men were not given any safety equipment when they entered the sewer,” a police officer said.
According to experts, gases produced inside a sewer could include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which can be fatal if inhaled.
In January, the Noida Authority had claimed to have adopted a 100% mechanical approach to clean sewers and ensure the safety of sanitation workers.
It said it had appropriate machinery, such as super-sucker machines, jetting and suction machines, bolero mounted jetting machines and other equipment, for mechanised cleaning of the sewer tanks. The authority also handed out safety equipment — PPE kit, mask, helmet, gumboot, oxygen cylinder, reflexive jackets and others — to over 170 sanitation workers engaged in cleaning water tanks and sewer lines.