Data recently
released by Combined Homeless and Information Network (CHAIN) shows that, between
July and September 2018, 3103 people were found sleeping rough in London. This
is a record number for the capital and is increasing.
The locations most attractive to rough
sleepers and with the highest risks are:
- Businesses using bins with a capacity
of 660 litres or greater
- Businesses located in areas where rough
sleeping is known
- Businesses in areas where there have
been previous instances of people being found in waste storage areas and
bins
- Businesses that store dry,
‘comfortable’ wastes attractive to those seeking shelter e.g. paper, card,
carpet and textiles
- Businesses that have bin storage areas
in quiet locations with low footfall
- Businesses that have unsecured bin
stores or bins without locks
Where the above risks are reasonably foreseeable Local Authorities
should take appropriate action so his autumn Southwark Officers will be
visiting at risk businesses to raise awareness and promote these resources,
hopefully saving lives.
- Leaflets with practical advice on how
businesses can reduce their risk and better manage bin stores
- Posters
to help staff recognise the signs of rough sleeping, remind them to check their
bins regularly and to be extra vigilant during periods of cold weather. It also details of local outreach and support
services to enable reporting of the signs of rough sleeping
- Bin stickers to remind waste
contractors to check bins before emptying them into waste compaction
vehicles
As winter
approaches Southwark Council is working with local businesses to raise awareness
of the risks to rough sleepers seeking refuge in large commercial bins during
cold and wet weather.
In the UK, between 2009 and 2015, 11
people are known to have died when they were inadvertently tipped into waste
collection compacters.
Waste contractors report that incidents
are rising. In 2013/14 Biffa recorded 31
rough sleepers in bins, a year later that had risen to 93, and in 2015/16 it
had increased again to 175. Last winter Southwark’s domestic waste contractor,
Veolia, recorded 32 people found in their bins in the UK. This was up from 26
the previous year. There have been a number of industry led campaigns to raise
awareness, such as B&M Waste Services ‘Refuse not Refuge’ campaign.
The HSE is concerned about the increase
in unnecessary deaths and injuries to vulnerable people. Their Waste &
Recycling Sector Plan (http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/sector-plans/waste.pdf) supports the waste industries strategic initiative
to prevent people being injured or killed after entering large commercial bins
(typically 660 litres and above).
This year the HSE asked health & safety
regulators to engage with businesses that use large commercial waste bins, such
as retail and licensed premises. They want local authorities to raise the awareness
of duty holders of the need to manage the risks of permitting unsecured access
to commercial bins.
Southwark Council, working with Homeless
Outreach staff, have created resources for businesses, including: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/business/health-and-safety/rough-sleepers-seeking-shelter-in-commercial-bins
Additional
guidance and benchmark standards for duty holders can be found in the Waste
Industry Safety & Health (WISH) guidance at: https://wishforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WASTE-25-.pdf
For more details on the Southwark project contact roy.pickard@southwark.gov.uk at Southwark Council Regulatory Services.