Council asks residents to empty their own bins - because they are too heavy for binmen

By: Chris Brooke
Date: 22nd May 2008

Source: Daily Mail 

Stunned residents have been told to empty their wheelie bins themselves ... to reduce the risk of binmen getting injured.

A council has written to thousands of householders asking them to help 'take a lot of the strain out of the job' following a health and safety review.

Officials at Craven District Council  -  based in Skipton, North Yorkshire  -  fear refuse workers could injure themselves if they are forced to lift heavy containers called 'pods' or 'caddy inserts' which fit inside wheelie bins and carry material for recycling.

 

The two plastic pods  -  which have handles and look like oversized shopping baskets  -  are used for glass and tins.

They are designed to fit inside a wheelie bin and go side by side on the top. They can be heavy if full and health and safety officers are concerned that binmen could suffer back injuries if they have to lift them out of the wheelie bins from above waist height.

 

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