Rough Sleepers In Bins
Serious and potentially fatal risks are posed by rough sleepers who seek shelter in large commercial or communal waste bins and may be inadvertently tipped into waste-collection trucks.
Published: January 19th, 2026
3 min read
Simple control measures for businesses who manage large commercial bins and storage areas, and those who collect the waste, are set out in HSE’s guidance on preventing people getting into large waste and recycling bins.
The guidance includes:
increased risk factors, such as unsafe storage areas and bins being too accessible
duties of waste producers and/or businesses managing bin storage areas
what waste collectors need to do
what you should do if people are found in bins
Businesses should focus on reducing the likelihood of people getting inside the bins in the first place. Equally, collection services should check that nobody is inside the bin before it is emptied.
It is strongly recommended that organisations:
Review their waste-storage arrangements
Confirm that contractors have appropriate checking procedures
Incorporate bin inspection into their health and safety risk assessments – especially during colder months when rough sleepers are more likely to seek shelter
Following these recommendations might well prevent not only a tragic injury or death but also a HSE prosecution.
For further information please contact Ridwaan Omar
