The Corporation of Hamilton has called on drivers to keep a safe distance from garbage trucks in the City.

The warning came after a corporation employee was struck by a car on Victoria Street last week.

The worker was hit while trying to guide a garbage truck back on to the main road and was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Dwayne Caines, the corporation chief executive, reminded drivers to stay at least 20 feet back from the vehicles.

He said the precaution allowed workers to access the truck’s hopper and properly handle wheelie bins and bulkier items.

Mr Caines added: “Garbage is collected from the City streets in any and all weather as well as during the hours of darkness, so we want the public to be especially vigilant and use caution when approaching the trucks.

“There are some instances when trucks are out on the road during heavy traffic times.

“This is usually unforeseen, so we ask the public to exercise patience and understanding during these times as the operators may be traversing the street to collect refuse.”

Mr Caines urged people to be especially careful during scheduled collection times and acknowledged the efforts of all workers in the City who may be at risk while doing their jobs.

He explained: “Whether they're City employees, government work crews or private contractors, ensuring safety is crucial for everyone involved.”

The City thanked the public for co-operating with refuse collection and encouraged them to follow Hamilton’s garbage collection schedule to keep the sidewalks clear of litter.