Latest news with #Namaste
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
4K sanitation workers in Delhi to get PPE kits with 42 safety items
NEW DELHI: As the monsoon approaches, the Delhi government has announced the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to nearly 4,000 manual scavengers across the city, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at improving safety conditions for sanitation workers. The move comes under the Centre's 'Namaste' (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme, launched in 2023-24 to promote secure, mechanised and dignified sanitation practices. Each PPE kit will contain 42 safety items, including gas masks, helmets with lights, gloves, gumboots, protective suits, and barrier creams designed to guard against hazardous gases and skin infections. The kits are expected to be distributed before the onset of heavy rains, when manual sewer and septic tank cleaning becomes most dangerous. Delhi's Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said that directives had been issued to ensure all sanitation workers are also enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Departments have been instructed to speed up training and rehabilitation programmes and establish Emergency Response Sanitation Units. District magistrates have been told to settle all pending compensation cases related to sewer deaths in a time-bound manner. 'The safety of every sanitation worker is our priority. They must have access to PPE kits and health insurance before the monsoon,' Singh said. However, the announcement has sparked criticism from activists who argue that the state should move beyond temporary safety measures. Bezwada Wilson, founder of the Safai Karamchari Andolan, welcomed the distribution of safety gear but said it doesn't address the root of the problem. 'This step is welcome, but it still does not prevent the deaths of manual scavengers,' Wilson said, calling for the complete mechanisation of sewer cleaning in compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. Wilson also highlighted grim statistics: 102 manual scavengers died in 2023, 116 in 2024, and 30 have died in 2025 so far, including four deaths in Delhi alone. 'The focus must shift from protective gear to ending the practice altogether,' Wilson stressed.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Nearly 4,000 Manual Scavengers In Delhi To Receive PPE Kits Ahead Of Monsoon
New Delhi: For the first time, nearly 4,000 manual scavengers in Delhi will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits ahead of the monsoon season. The kits will include 42 safety items such as helmets with lights, gas protection masks, gumboots, protective clothing, gloves, and barrier creams designed to protect against hazardous gases and skin irritants. The initiative is part of the Centre's 'Namaste' (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme launched in 2023-24 to ensure secure working conditions, financial assistance, and social security benefits for sanitation workers, especially those engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Delhi Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh told PTI that around 4,000 scavengers will get PPE kits before the rains begin. He also directed officials to ensure that all manual scavengers are enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. In addition, departments have been instructed to expedite training and rehabilitation efforts for those involved in manual sewer cleaning and to establish adequate Emergency Response Sanitation Units, Indraj Singh said. All district magistrates have been ordered to resolve pending compensation cases related to sewer and septic tank deaths in a time-bound manner, he added. "The safety of every sanitation worker is our priority. They must have access to PPE kits and health insurance before the monsoon," the minister said. Social activist Bezwada Wilson, founder of the Safai Karamchari Andolan, said while PPE kits can help reduce health risks, they do not fully eliminate the dangers faced by manual scavengers. "This step is welcome, but it still does not prevent the deaths of manual scavengers," said Wilson. Wilson also pointed out that the initiative raises concerns under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which officially banned manual scavenging in India. "Instead of sending humans into toxic manholes, the government should focus on introducing machines to clean them," he added. Wilson also shared data on the deaths of manual scavengers, stating that around 102 died in 2023, 116 in 2024, and 30 have died in 2025 so far. In Delhi alone, four workers have died this year, he said.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
In a first, Delhi's manual scavengers to receive PPE kits ahead of monsoon season
New Delhi, For the first time, nearly 4,000 manual scavengers in Delhi will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment kits ahead of the monsoon season. The kits will include 42 safety items such as helmets with lights, gas protection masks, gumboots, protective clothing, gloves, and barrier creams designed to protect against hazardous gases and skin irritants. The initiative is part of the Centre's 'Namaste' scheme launched in 2023-24 to ensure secure working conditions, financial assistance, and social security benefits for sanitation workers, especially those engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Delhi Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh told PTI that around 4,000 scavengers will get PPE kits before the rains begin. He also directed officials to ensure that all manual scavengers are enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. In addition, departments have been instructed to expedite training and rehabilitation efforts for those involved in manual sewer cleaning and to establish adequate Emergency Response Sanitation Units, Singh said. All district magistrates have been ordered to resolve pending compensation cases related to sewer and septic tank deaths in a time-bound manner, he added. "The safety of every sanitation worker is our priority. They must have access to PPE kits and health insurance before the monsoon," the minister said. Social activist Bezwada Wilson, founder of the Safai Karamchari Andolan, said while PPE kits can help reduce health risks, they do not fully eliminate the dangers faced by manual scavengers. "This step is welcome, but it still does not prevent the deaths of manual scavengers," said Wilson. Wilson also pointed out that the initiative raises concerns under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which officially banned manual scavenging in India. "Instead of sending humans into toxic manholes, the government should focus on introducing machines to clean them," he added. Wilson also shared data on the deaths of manual scavengers, stating that around 102 died in 2023, 116 in 2024, and 30 have died in 2025 so far. In Delhi alone, four workers have died this year, he said.
Sunday World
13-05-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Faecal matter ‘smeared on wall' of staff toilets in one of eight food businesses closed last month
A report into its closure found evidence of 'serious inappropriate' personal hygiene practices being carried out on the premises A total of 10 enforcement orders were issued by the FSAI in April. Stock image:Popular north Dublin city restaurant Namaste, located in Smithfield, was one of eight food businesses served with closure orders last month. A report into its closure found evidence of 'serious inappropriate' personal hygiene practices being carried out on the premises. "For example, there was faecal matter smeared on the wall of the staff sanitary facility, after staff had used it,' it said. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served 10 enforcement orders on food businesses during April for breaches of food safety legislation. The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE). Six closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. A closure order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises. These can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities. Indian restaurant Namaste, located at 88/89 King Street North, in Smithfield, was one of those hit with a closure order. A closure order, which was lifted on May 2, was also served on The City Arms Gastro Bar/ Bistro which led to the closure of its area for food storage and preparation, used for cooking and the service of food. The restaurant is located at 50 High Street, in Waterford. In Co Limerick, the Tasty (take away), located in The Square in Dromcollogher was served with a closure order "The sink unit in the alley outside the back door into the premises is over an open drainage gully. This area is subject to foul sewer water contamination,' the report said. Bojon Spices, on Summerhill Road, Dunboyne, Co Meath was served with a closure order for 'all the activities of the business'. A total of 10 enforcement orders were issued by the FSAI in April. Stock image:News in 90 Seconds - May 13th Inspectors here found a 'lack of regular and effective cleaning'. The FSAI said its holdings or other premises were 'to be ceased' and the internet sites or social media sites it operates or employs were also 'to be ceased'. The closure order was lifted on May 2. The Barne Lodge, located in Rathkeevan, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, which was hit with a closure order, which was lifted on April 19, was found to have 'accumulated mould' on internal surfaces of the ice machine used to make ice for cooling drinks. While the Rio Latte Bar, at Unit 7, Park Shopping Centre, Prussia Street, Dublin 7 was also hit with a closure order, which was lifted on April 17. A report found there a risk to food safety and public health as: "Food is being prepared, frozen, thawed and reheated without any documented procedures in place." Two closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, the first of which was on Greenville Deli, located at 45 Monkstown Avenue, in Monkstown, Co Dublin but was lifted on April 17. An inspector's report revealed 'mouse droppings are evident in a number of locations in the food premises' posing 'a grave and immediate danger to food safety'. While Sirmone Limited, trading as 'Soul Bakery' and TPB, located at unit L5, Ballymount Industrial Estate, in Dublin 12 was also hit with a closure order, which was lifted on April 14. A large container with waste bread was stored uncovered, in the despatch area, providing a food source for the rodents "Rodent droppings were noted around the edge of the floor of the dry-goods store and in the main production area,' the inspector's report found. "Droppings were also evident on bags of flour in the dry-goods store. A large container with waste bread was stored uncovered, in the despatch area, providing a food source for the rodents." Meanwhile, two improvement orders were served under the FSAI Act. These may be issued by the District Court if an improvement notice is not complied with within a defined period. Further non-compliance could result in a closure order being served on the following: The Sancta Maria Nursing Home, in Parke, Kinnegad, in Meath and the Sligo Spice, at McGlynns Terrace, 1 Lower Pearse Road, in Sligo. Some of the other reasons for the enforcement orders in April include flies observed in a kitchen with no fly screen in place and separately, a failure by staff to demonstrate any knowledge of food safety management procedures was also noted. Inadequate and uncalibrated equipment used to monitor temperatures and a lack of evidence to support use-by dates on defrosted food was also observed. There was also a lack of cleaning and disinfection and no hot water or designated hand wash basin in the food preparation area noted in some restaurants. A heavily stained kitchen, with visible dirt and grease on cooking equipment and stainless steel surfaces, customer toilets and urinals that had not been cleaned, were also noted in inspector reports. FSAI chief executive Greg Dempsey said there is an obligation for food businesses to 'act responsibly' and ensure the food they provide is safe to eat. Consumers have a right to trust that the food they buy is safe 'Food businesses owe it to their customers that the food they are selling is safe to eat. Not only is it the right thing to do, it's also a legal requirement under food law,' he said. "Consumers have a right to trust that the food they buy is safe to eat and that it complies with all relevant food safety legislation. The findings that led to these enforcement orders highlight an unacceptable disregard for basic food safety and hygiene practices.'
The Journal
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Indian restaurant in Dublin among eight food businesses closed over 'serious' hygiene issues
'SERIOUS INAPPROPRIATE' HYGIENE practices led to the closure of one popular Dublin restaurant after inspectors found human excrement on and around sanitary facilities for staff. Namaste Indian Restaurant in Smithfield in Dublin 7 was among eight food businesses who were issued with closure orders by food safety inspectors last month, the latest report details. Two closure orders were issued for breaches of national regulatory standards, while six others, including Namaste's, were issued for breaches of European regulatory standards. The Food Safety Authority also issued two improvement orders last month. An inspector's report of the Namaste restaurant states that an exam of the property on 25 April found 'faecal matter smeared on the wall of the staff sanitary facility, after staff had used it'. It was also noted that the wall was 'stained' from the faecal matter and that a 'dirty bottle of hand was soap was available on the sink unit and no paper towels or other means of hand drying'. There was also a lack of frequent the handwashing observed during the inspection, in particular during food preparation and handling unclean equipment such as knives and chopping boards. Advertisement Utensils were also not property cleaned, the report says, and a handwash basin in the kitchen was used to prepare vegetables on an unclean chopping board during the inspection. The chef and owner were not wearing clear protective clothing during the preparation of food and there was evidence of grime, grit and debris in all the sinks and on the sponges. There was no evidence that staff were adequately trained either, the report added. An inspector also found little evidence that food was traced properly at the restaurant, with nothing suggesting to them upon the examination that there was a routine and permanent food safety procedure in place. 'Lack of a good food safety culture will give rise to non-compliances with food legislation, which can pose risk to food safety,' the inspector wrote before signing and approving the closure order. Mouse droppings in Dublin Café The two closure orders served under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998 were given to the Greenville Deli in Monkstown and Soul Bakery in Ballymount, in Dublin. An inspector present at Greenville Deli on 15 April found mouse droppings in a number of locations around the restaurant, including in a cupboard containing milk storages and on the floor of the store room where food was present. The five other businesses were issued closure orders under the EU's Regulations, 2020 were The City Arms Gastro Bar in Waterford, the Tasty takeaway in Limerick, Bojon Spices in Dunboyne, Co Meath, Barne Lodge café in Clonmel, Co Tipperary and Rio Latte Bar in Dublin. Two businesses were told to improve their food safety practices, Sancta Maria Nursing Home in Co Meath and retailer Sligo Spice in Sligo. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
