The public have been urged to stop putting faeces out in their household waste after a worker was “spattered by faeces” while collecting trash on Serpentine Road.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works: “It is quite alarming that this practice continues.

“It is highly disrespectful to our sanitation workers who take great pride in their work and provide this service under already trying conditions.”

In June 2020, the Government warned about safe disposal of aerosol cans after one exploded and also mention the proper disposal of faeces.

A Government spokesman said animal or human faeces should not be included in household waste put out for collection under any circumstances.

“Including faeces in household waste presents a significant health risk to both waste collectors and the public at large should a waste bag become torn or damaged,” he said.

“Dog and cat faeces and that of other carnivores may be flushed – in addition their faeces may be buried for decomposition or dried out, wrapped in newspaper, bagged and brought to the Tynes Bay public drop-off facility for disposal in the household waste skips provided there.

“Dog and cat faeces should not be composted if the compost is going to be used on vegetables or other edible plants.

“Faeces generated by herbivorous animals, such as rabbits, chickens, horses and guinea pigs, may be buried in the garden or added to a compost bin.”