INTRODUCTION:

The earlier form of sewer cleaning was hand excavation whereby labourers loaded sediment
into barrows which were moved down the sewer and then lifted out at manholes by bucket.
The work is not only dirty, unpleasant and dangerous. For these reasons it is now only
considered when all other methods are not possible for one reason or another.

The Major problem in manual scavenging is the health issues faced by the workers and more over the
cleaning is done by human beings because of earning. Asphyxia occurs when the foreman does not
get enough oxygen to sustain life. It may be due to low oxygen level in the atmosphere or high
hazardous gas concentration. Difficult to work in any climate. More than three workers for one
manhole.