James McLaren
4 Oct 2018 · Coroner Andrew Hetherington · Sunderland
The coroner's concerns
1. people sheltering in large commercial or communal domestic bins
“WISH WASTE 25 - Managing access to large waste and recycling bins - contains formal guidance to prevent death or serious injury when people shelter in large commercial or communal domestic bins. This guidance was provided to the Inquest. Factors increasing the foreseeability of people gaining access and getting into the bins include, but are not limited to: ® the bin storage area: e being quiet and isolated; e being dark and unlit, especially at collection times; = the bins: e having lids that are”
2. death or serious injury from bin access
“Could you raise awareness nationally of the issue to prevent death or serious injury arising from access to large commercial or communal domestic bins?”
3. people sheltering in bins during cold periods
“Could you raise your members' awareness nationally of the issue and risk, and to provide a reminder to employers and employees to consider a heightened check to look for people who may be sheltering in the bins particularly in colder months?”
4. insufficient lighting in bin areas
“Would you consider suggesting that head torches are used in dark or poorly lit areas regularly to provide additional lighting which appears to be good practice?”
5. bin lids not securely locked allowing entrapment
“Please would you clarify what it means in the WISH WASTE 25 formal guidance for bins to be secure, and whether this should include the securing of bin lids by way of a generic lock that can also be opened from the inside to prevent someone from being trapped?”