Bin man's worry over needle stabs

A REFUSE collector from Tiverton is awaiting blood tests results to find out whether he has caught hepatitis — or even Aids — after being jabbed by contaminated needles.

Clive Middleton, 52, who works for Mid Devon District Council, believes "inconsiderate" drug addicts are to blame for not disposing of them correctly.

He says he has been pricked by the dirty hypodermic needles, which were left in plastic bin liners with general household waste, twice in a month while on his rounds in the Crediton area.

The first incident came in May when he was pricked through the glove of his right index finger by a dirty needle left in a bag in the centre of Yeoford.

He immediately sought medical advice but on Friday, June 19, his hand was caught by a second needle when he was collecting refuse in Morchard Road.

Mr Middleton hopes the injections he received at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital have prevented any illness. But he won't find out until September 2.

Mr Middleton, who has worked for the council for six-and-a-half-years, said: "I have had inoculations for hepatitis A, B and C, and anything else, so I have to go back in September for a blood test to make sure I haven't got anything — but I am just getting fed up with it as I am trying to do an honest day's work and I keep getting knocked back by this. I am just worried about what was on these needles and people tell me not to, but it is easy for them to say. If these people want to take drugs they should dispose of their needles in a proper way. The council tries to educate them but they just don't want to know.

"If they want to dispose of these needles they should ring the council and ask for a plastic bin to put them in, but they should not be put in bags.

"What about children going to school? If they walk past and a needle is sticking out it could catch them in the leg — there is just no consideration for others."

He believes refuse collectors across the county face these risks regularly and says doctors have recently reported seeing increasing numbers of similar injuries among binmen. Mr Middleton also says council disposal advice is largely ignored by users of hypodermics.

Gary Pilling, cleansing and transport manager for Mid Devon District Council, said there hasn't been any similar cases in the area in the past two years and said there is no need for used needles to be disposed of in this manner. He says the needles are not always the property of drug addicts as they can be found on farms if animals have received veterinary treatment. He added: "We do provide sharps bins, and we have been doing so for a number of years. But it is about asking people to be more responsible."

Those who require sharps bins should call the council's Customer First services on 01884 234302.