This is the first incident where fumes were released from the drinking water pipeline.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to improve the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance security and avoid accidents like Nana Chowk water chamber mishap that claimed one life.
Incidents of toxic gases being released during repair of sewage tank have been reported earlier. However, this is the first incident where fumes were released from the drinking water pipeline. "We were trying to get inside the six feet pipeline and repair leakages since we didn't want to dig and disturb road traffic. This is regular work for us. We have our set of SOPs and never faced such an accident before," informed an officer from the water department.
The current SOPs includes wearing safety gears like helmets, hand gloves, and gumboots. However, the workers did not pay much attention, neither was BMC much attentive about considering there has been no mishap in the last several years. After the incident on Saturday, BMC officials are considering to revive the old SOPs to deal with such incidents in the future. "We are adding more procedure and equipment. We will take the help of advanced technology for ensuring workers' safety," said a senior officer.
The instruction of framing new SOPs has come from commissioner Ajoy Mehta. The civic body will introduce a camera system to check conditions inside the pipeline or tunnel. Use of staircases, headlamp (like in mining), oxygen cylinder, gas checking equipment will be made necessary for water utilities work.
NEW SOPS
- The BMC will introduce a camera system to check conditions inside the pipeline or tunnel
- Use of staircases, headlamp, oxygen cylinder, gas checking equipment will be made mandatory
- Instruction of framing new SOPs has come from commissioner Ajoy Mehta
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "BMC")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}