Do not be surprised if one day in the future you hear that garbage collectors are going on strike because they are sick and tired of being disrespected.

"I can only ask them to be patient for so long," said Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott yesterday at a press conference held at his ministry's headquarters.

"We are not like the garbage we pick up," an upset, shop steward Janet Smith said.

"They (the public) don't care about us," said Edward Burcher, also a union rep. "I've seen all types of things in the trash."

The press conference was held in the wake of several incidents over the last few days in which garbage collectors have been exposed to hazardous wastes being placed in residents' household garbage.

On Friday, one worker encountered a On Friday, one worker encountered a container of household of cleaning acid, while as recently as yesterday morning a female collector was sprayed over half her body when a canister of paint exploded in the back of the truck she was working on.

"I am appealing to members of the public to cease putting items that are deemed hazardous, such as paints, batteries, and cleaning products, in their daily refuse," implored Mr. Scott.

Stressing his commitment to ensure that his staff are working in a safe environment, Mr. Scott said although it is difficult to prosecute offenders under the law, civil action can, and will be taken if perpetrators can be identified.

"You do not have the right to put workers at risk. We have a hazardous waste facility (at Tynes Bay)," he said.

While he expressed his desire to see amendments to the Waste Control Act in the near future, solid waste manager Allan Hunt said if people were not sure what to do with their refuse, call the Ministry for assistance.

"If you don't know how to get rid of something, we have a phone number. There's no reason to dump acid in a plastic bag. There's no need for disrespect," he said.