The minimum total insurance sum, including all materials, public liability, third-party liability and workmen’s compensation, would be that of ₹1 crore, the PWD guidelines said. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
The new rules were listed in a standard operating procedure document (SOP), released by the government recently. The SOP comes after several sewage workers died in separate incidents while cleaning manholes across Delhi. The Delhi PWD’s official X handle had also uploaded photographs of workers entering manholes without any protective gear.
According to the SOP, respirators or air purifying systems should be used if there are risks of hazardous gases or low oxygen levels inside the manhole. Oxygen levels should be at least 19.5% inside the manhole, it said.
In addition, work in manholes should only be carried out by personnel who have been specifically trained in confined space entry and rescue procedures, with the contractor ensuring that a competent safety officer is present for supervision.
The guidelines also mention that the contractor shall procure an insurance policy, covering all materials, public liability, third-party liability and workmen’s compensation.
The minimum total insured should be of ₹1 crore with the engineer-in-charge being nominated as the loss payee, it added.
Published – December 16, 2025 05:23 am IST
