Businesses have been urged to review how they store and manage commercial waste bins as temperatures fall and rough sleepers seek refuge in unsafe places.
The Health and Safety Executive has issued new guidance, developed with the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum, to prevent people getting into large waste and recycling bins.
HSE said the guidance outlines straightforward steps that can stop avoidable deaths. Tim Small, HM Principal Inspector for Waste and Recycling, said no one should lose their life because they tried to escape the cold and that businesses have a responsibility to carry out simple safety checks.
The advice focuses on preventing unauthorised access to bins and ensuring they are checked before they are emptied. HSE said neither measure requires major investment but both demand increased vigilance in winter when risks are highest.
Risk factors identified by the guidance include isolated and poorly lit bin areas, unsecured lids, storage of dry materials such as cardboard that might attract rough sleepers and bins left undisturbed for long periods. Businesses are encouraged to keep bins in secure locations, improve lighting and train staff to recognise signs that people may be attempting to enter bins.
Where evidence of attempted access is found, HSE recommends using bin types with locks, opening restrictors or access grilles. These features must be maintained and used consistently, particularly in cold or wet weather when people may be more likely to seek shelter.
If employees find someone inside a bin, they must prioritise safety and avoid physical intervention, as distressed individuals may react unpredictably. Staff should help the person out safely and report the incident, including under RIDDOR if injuries require hospital treatment or if a fatality occurs.
HSE said all businesses with commercial waste bins should reassess their arrangements as winter approaches. Keeping records of incidents and sharing them with waste collectors can help determine whether existing controls are effective and where improvements may be needed.
The regulator said the measures are simple and low-cost but have the potential to save lives.
