Civic worker suffers severe leg injuries after suspected floor acid spill in Hanumanthanagar

A 50-year-old civic worker allegedly suffered severe injuries on his right leg, with his skin peeling off, after coming in contact with suspected acid while clearing a garbage black spot in Hanumanthanagar in south Bengaluru, recently.

Oblesh, a garbage collector working on an auto-tipper that collects waste from Ward 155, sustained severe injuries to his right leg and is currently recovering. He is the sole breadwinner of his family, and his condition has left him unable to work.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of pourakarmikas and the hazardous conditions in which they work. Meanwhile, officials of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) have said the contractor employing the worker must take responsibility.

The incident occurred on October 19, when Oblesh was transferring waste from a mound created by pourakarmikas after clearing a black spot, to the vehicle.

According to members of the Karnataka State Pourakarmikas and Safai Karmacharis Union (KSPSKU), a bottle containing what was reportedly floor cleaning acid fell on Oblesh’s right leg. They alleged that workers at a nearby under-construction building had discarded the floor cleaner.

“He didn’t feel anything immediately, but hours later, he had a burning sensation. When he scratched his leg, his skin peeled off,” B. Chandranna, general secretary of the KSPSKU, told The Hindu. “No civic body officials helped, even with filing a case or meeting his hospital needs,” he alleged.

The incident comes amid widespread criticism of Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s statement on pourakarmikas’ absenteeism and their long-standing demands for adequate safety measures.

No help from hospitals

Mr. Chandranna alleged that a government and a private hospital refused to admit him.

He said Oblesh was eventually admitted after paying ₹50,000, and the total hospital bill reached ₹1.2 lakh.

“He is a civic worker with no other source of income. He has borrowed money from others to pay the bill,” he said. “These hospitals should accept ESI cards at any time. Do health risks occur only during a specific time period?” he asked.

However, speaking to The Hindu, a BSWML official in charge of Hanumanthanagar placed the responsibility on the contractor, Rajani, saying the contractor should take charge of the situation and help the civic worker.

Asked whether the civic body should initiate a case against the person who allegedly discarded the floor acid, the official said no steps had been taken. When asked about the civic body’s responsibility, she said officials would speak to the worker after he recovered.

Working conditions remain unchanged

Mr. Chandranna said such injuries had become common, but working conditions remained unchanged.

“Such injuries occur often. Many citizens casually discard broken glass and sharp objects. These cause everyday injuries to pourakarmikas,” he said. Union members said that despite repeated appeals and letters, civic workers were not being provided with safety gear.

“At least waste collectors need safety gear because many households discard mixed waste. Injuries are common when we separate the waste,” said Diwakar, a helper in Koramangala.

Mr. Chandranna said conditions were no better with civic bodies as well. “Imagine pourakarmikas clearing black spots in the rain with their bare hands. Can any citizen imagine doing such work? It is difficult even to eat after doing this work,” he said.

Even as BSWML officials blame contractors for the workers’ conditions, the union members point out that the civic body has the authority to question them and ensure workers’ safety.