Persistence of manual scavenging: An autopsy and legislative review

Manual scavenging, a perilous and degrading practice, profoundly impacts the health and overall welfare of those involved. Manual scavengers face major health risks and unsafe working conditions due to their occupation. To address and reform the prohibition of manual scavenging, two important acts, the 1993 Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act and the 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, aim to eradicate manual scavenging by imposing strict regulations, prohibiting the practice of employing manual scavengers, manually cleaning sewers and septic tanks without adequate protective equipment and constructing unsanitary latrines. Wearing suitable protective attire and using necessary equipment exempts individuals from being classified as manual scavengers under these laws. We report a man who was brought to the mortuary for a postmortem examination by an investigating officer. He had reportedly fallen into a sewage hole while cleaning a sewage line at a steel factory, resulting in death due to methane gas poisoning. Despite existing laws and regulations, this inhumane practice persists as a deeply rooted problem, necessitating a collective and persistent effort from governments, civil society and international organizations for its complete eradication.