Mechanized cleaning is practically unheard of in India. It should be carried out in areas where it is feasible. No attention has been paid to occupational hazards, hygiene and health associated with workers involved in cleaning. In fact, there is an urgent need to conduct an occupational health impact assessment of these workers and ensure their rehabilitation through skill-development for mechanized cleaning.

Waste pickers in the recycling sector are working in primitive technological conditions, which have an adverse impact on the worker’s health and environment. Within the waste management manual handling of waste is a health huge concern. Direct handling of both solid and liquid waste can result in various types of infectious and chronic diseases with the waste workers and the waste pickers being the most vulnerable.

Workers working with waste containing chemical and metals may experience toxic exposure. Disposal of health-care wastes require special attention since it can create major health hazards, such as Hepatitis B and C, through wounds caused by discarded syringes.

Waste pickers and others who are involved in scavenging in the waste dumps for items that can be recycled, may sustain injuries and come into direct contact with these infectious items. Occupational hazards associated with waste handling include skin and blood infections resulting from direct contact with waste,
and from infected wounds.

Therefore, the proposal to introduce mechanized cleaning of roads and drains for the area around Taj Mahal is a welcome move and deserves to be replicated all over the country.