Contending with wild chickens and dogs over the pick-up of the public's trash is not what collectors are hired to do.

But with the public ignoring the days and times for garbage collection the Ministry of Works and Engineering, has urged everyone to think of safety when it comes to trash disposal.

Yesterday, Dennis Spencer, the officer in charge of collections, said problems with the public adhering to the schedule are not the only issue for trash collectors.

"People are putting their garbage out two nights before the pick-up time. The wild chickens, dogs and cats get to it before us and the public then expect us to clean it up," Mr. Spencer said.

"They need to stick to putting it out the night before or right before pick-up at 7.30 in the morning. We also have problems with people putting glass in their bags.

"It will just cut right through. We have guys who frequently, at least every two months, cut their legs."

Reducing injuries to the garbage collectors would be as easy as making sure any sharp objects are wrapped up before putting them in a plastic garbage bag.

Other efforts the public can make is to use a hard shell container and dark plastic bags so the refuse is not affected by rain or other elements. Recyclables- tin cans, aluminium cans and glass containers- should continue to be disposed in clear blue bags.

Trash collection for the West End of the Island is Mondays and Thursdays with recyclables collected on Thursday. For the East End, garbage is picked-up on Tuesdays and Fridays with recyclables on Friday.

Wednesday is reserved for the cleaning and maintenance of vehicles.

Mr. Spence yesterday also raised concerns that residents were disposing of hazardous material that will injure those working on the trucks.

He said that the public throws away paint containers with paint in it, acidic chemicals and human and dog waste all in the regular trash collection when they should be taken to the Special Waste Facility.

"The public needs to be more cognizant of what they are putting in their trash," he added, "They are putting acid in the trash and the workers then have to deal with the fumes when the packer unit crushes the bags."

For more information about what goes where, pages 26 and 27 of the Blue pages in the phone book, www.wastemanagement.gov.bm or calling 297-7946 can help.