Chennai:
Postgraduate social work students from the Chennai College of Social Work, located in the Egmore area of Chennai, conducted a study on the occupational health, safety and welfare of sanitation workers titled “Addressing Occupational Health and Safety Issues Among Sanitation Workers” as part of their project fieldwork.
As part of the project, the students met with sanitation workers working under Chennai Enviro Solutions and conducted a field study in Zone 5, in Egmore, Sougarpet and Old Washermanpet areas. The students directly interacted with the workers and collected information regarding their daily working conditions, occupational health issues, safety facilities and welfare schemes.
Identifying key employee issues
During the fieldwork, the students identified various issues faced by sanitation workers. The students plan to bring these issues to the attention of the relevant authorities and take steps to create a safe and healthy working environment for the sanitation workers.
Students distributed awareness pamphlets containing emergency assistance and safety information for use by sanitation workers. Awareness was also raised about important phone numbers and safety measures.
More financial education awareness for sanitation workers
As another part of the project, a financial education awareness program was conducted for sanitation workers in the Egmore area of Chennai Enviro Solutions.
Egmore Post Office participated in this event.
Public Relations Officer Prabhakaran attended as the special guest and explained to the sanitation workers about savings, banking services, financial planning and how to utilize government financial schemes.
Employees were made aware of the need to properly save a portion of their income, the use of bank accounts, safe financial transactions, and planning finances for future needs.
Additionally, an awareness program on occupational health and safety for sanitation workers was held at Chennai Enviro Solutions, located in Washermanpet.
During the event, students highlighted the occupational health hazards and safety challenges that sanitation workers may face during their work. In particular, the proper use of personal protective equipment during work, wearing gloves and masks, using safety shoes, following safety procedures when handling waste, and maintaining personal hygiene after work were explained.
Furthermore, awareness was raised about precautionary measures to avoid injuries, infections and other health hazards that may occur during work. The need to not ignore changes in health and to undergo timely medical consultation and examination was also emphasized.
The employees shared with the students the health and safety concerns they face in their daily work. The students discussed with them and highlighted the importance of following safe working practices.
The purpose of social work students
Sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining the health and cleanliness of the city. The main objective of this project is to directly identify the needs for improving their occupational health, safety, social security and financial well-being and bring them to the attention of the relevant authorities.
This fieldwork by the Postgraduate Social Work students of the Chennai College of Social Work is a social work effort to bring out the voices of sanitation workers and create a safe, healthy and dignified working environment for them.
A general medical camp for sanitation workers was also held at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai Central.