AN ELDERLY resident was left disappointed after his partner was denied help by staff at a recycling centre who refused to lift her bags for her.
The woman in her 80s visited Romsley Rubbish Tip on Tuesday (June 29) with borrowed builders bags full of grass cuttings.
She could not manage the bags and when she asked a member of staff for help they refused because of health and safety grounds.
Even when she explained there was nothing heavy inside they still would not help her.
Lucky for her a man was nearby disposing of his own rubbish and came to her aid.
Her partner, John Ruck, said: “No help was forthcoming – perhaps someone should explain to the operatives at the tip that we the council taxpayers pay their wages and they are there to assist particularly the older generation.
“If they can’t do the job properly – let’s get someone who can.”
Worcestershire County Council confirmed it was policy not to allow staff to lift items with the public.
A spokesperson said: “Residents wishing to dispose of household waste at Household Recycling Centres can ask members of staff for assistance in unloading items of waste.
“However, for safety reasons staff working on site are not permitted to lift items directly with members of the public.”
She added when waste was taken in builders’ bags or wheelie bins, residents could be asked to empty the contents as the types of containers were designed to be lifted mechanically and manual lifting could result in injury.
She added the information, intended to ensure staff and customer safety, was publicly available.
