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Worker caught in bin lorry mechanism by bungee cord in Scottish Borders

Worker caught in bin lorry mechanism by bungee cord in Scottish Borders

BBC News30-05-2025
A refuse worker in the Scottish Borders has been injured after being caught and dropped by a bin lorry's lifting mechanism.The man was taken to hospital after becoming tangled in a bungee cord attached to a household wheelie bin on a rural route.Scottish Borders Council said the man was later discharged and a full health and safety investigation would be held into the incident on Friday morning.It said the use of automated lifting mechanisms would be suspended during the investigation, with bin collections disrupted across the region.
It warned of a "significant impact" on waste services due to additional time needed for workers to operate the mechanism manually.The council said in a statement: "The extra time required and will most likely result in disruptions and missed collections. "We would like to stress to householders the seriousness of this issue and the importance of not using bungee cords, or any other type of restraint, on their wheelie bin which may put the health and safety of staff in danger."Scottish Borders Council said further updates would be provided when the investigation is complete.
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