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| disposable barbecues |
New Forest District Council refuse collectors are facing a new hazard whilst working this summer - disposable barbecues.
The griddle on the barbecues has many sharp edges, which cut through bin bags. One member of the team has already been cut this way, when the griddle even managed to cut through his protective gloves.
Usual hazards lie with poorly wrapped broken glass and edges of tin cans, but the recent hot weather has seen a burst of the disposable barbecues being thrown away.
However, a new risk has not stopped the others - recently, another worker at a NFDC recycling centre was severely injured by a poorly contained broken glass bowl.
All broken glass, barbecues and other sharp refuse must be double wrapped in materials such as layers of newspaper or thick polythene, before they go in the refuse sacks. They could also be sealed in a clearly labelled cardboard box. This prevents the refuse collectors being harmed as they work.
Councillor Michael Thierry, portfolio holder for environment said: “I urge everybody to dispose of their barbecues safely, by wrapping and labelling them carefully.
“But it is not just barbecues that can harm the workers - please make sure other sharp refuse is properly disposed of, particularly in the light of the recent workers’ injuries.” |
