HOUSEHOLDERS in Bromsgrove are being urged to be extra careful when throwing out their waste after binmen in the district were injured.

Bromsgrove District Council's refuse collection team have suffered cuts, grazes, puncture wounds and in some cases needed hospital treatment simply for doing their job.

The authority's leader, Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton), has appealed to residents to be extra vigilant when disposing of potentially dangerous items such as knives, skewers, needles and broken glass.

He said: "The careless disposal of sharp objects among household refuse is a worrying problem resulting in sometimes quite serious injury to staff.

"Our refuse collectors try to do the best job they can for all Bromsgrove residents.

"Please help them to stay safe and wrap sharp objects so they cannot hurt anyone."

His appeal follows his recent day out with a refuse collection team, when crewman Nigel Roberts came across a large bladed knife in the rubbish he was clearing.

The head of depot services, Mark Dainter, said: "Precautions are taken at all times including the wearing of protective clothing but serious injury can still happen causing suffering, lost time, a reduction in the performance of the service and even extra costs.

"Staff have suffered cuts, grazes and puncture wounds which, in some instances, have needed hospital treatment, as well as mental worry and stress.

"We are particularly concerned about injuries caused by improperly discarded syringes which can have potential long-term effects from contagious diseases."