Sanitation workers (Safaimitras), regarded as the backbone of the urban sanitation system, routinely perform their daily duties amid serious physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Prolonged bending, heavy lifting, and limited access to personal protective equipment make musculoskeletal disorders, eye conditions, and infections commonplace among them. Against this backdrop, the five-day workshop titled “Occupational Health, Hygiene, and Safety Practices: Safaimitra Suraksha evam Samman”, organized by the Sahayog Club in collaboration with the Dispensary Department of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur, aimed to connect sanitation workers with institutional health systems, preventive medicine, and practical workplace safety practices.
The initiative adopted a multidimensional approach centered on the holistic well-being of the workers.

Under the sub-theme “Kaam Bhi, Sehat Bhi”, the workshop emphasized the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders through proper workplace posture, ergonomics, and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) screenings. Furthermore, essential preventive services—such as introducing low-cost nutritious dietary options, promoting dental hygiene, conducting routine vision screenings, and distributing prescription eyeglasses—were delivered directly to the workers. Recognizing workplace stress and challenging social conditions, dedicated counseling sessions were also incorporated to provide mental health awareness and emotional support.

To ensure efficient resource utilization and reach the last mile, the workshop collaborated with the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) and the Raipur Municipal Corporation to deploy Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), offering on-site primary check-ups and medicines. In addition, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits were distributed to sanitation workers at the Zone-7 Municipal Corporation Office, accompanied by direct awareness sessions on various government welfare schemes, social security entitlements, and occupational rights. This event reflects a meaningful commitment by premier technical higher-education institutions toward Institutional Social Responsibility (ISR) and community engagement—turning the safety, dignity, and welfare of sanitation workers into actionable practice.
 

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RDJ/PJ

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