A database of 900 certified plumbers has been created by the Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC) to address the need for essential services like plumbing during the ongoing COVID 19 crisis. These skilled plumbers are ready to provide their services during the lockdown period, across the country.
Keeping in mind the health and safety norms, IPSC has also drafted guidelines for the plumbing workforce to be observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines were put together by a special IPSC technical task force headed by eminent leaders and experts from the Indian Plumbing Fraternity.
Some key highlights of the advisory are:
- Follow social distancing
- Disinfecting tools, equipment, touch points – quantity of solutions to be used
- Prefer cashless transaction
- Disposing used material
- Educating consumers for self-help in crisis
- Maintaining a log for backtracking in case needed
To know more about the guidelines please visit: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-English-for-the-Plumbing-Workforce-in-India-Post-COVID-19-Epidemic-Amended_2020.04.19.pdf
The guidelines cover important do’s and don’ts and location-specific precautionary measures including residential buildings and apartments, hospitals, isolation centres, commercial complexes and other establishments.
As per the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 15th April 2020, self-employed workforce including plumbers will be permitted to provide their services, from 20th April 2020. However, due to the nature of the job, drastic changes in procedures followed have been envisaged in the guidelines, especially pertaining to health and safety.
Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “IPSC’s proactive efforts in creating these guidelines are commendable and a welcome step towards India’s fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. IPSC is constantly getting requests from volunteers to contribute through their service to the nation, so this number of 900 will keep increasing.”
Dr Rajendra K Somany, Chairman, Indian Plumbing Skills Council said, “The health & safety of the Indian citizens is of utmost importance. The plumbing workforce plays a very important role in protecting the health of the nation. These guidelines have been created by the Technical Taskforce spearheaded by Mr MK Gupta and Mr Vinay Gupta (Vice-Chairman, IPSC), as additional precautionary measures that the workforce must adhere to, in order to contain the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The IPSC has also requested its affiliated training partners to conduct distribution drives of food and essential supplies to the needy and extended necessary support in the preparation and distribution activities. Over 70 training centres have also been nominated for conversion into food distribution/isolation centres.
