Refuse workers and street cleaners must be provided with body cams, GMB Congress says

Refuse workers and street cleaners must be provided with body cams to curb growing rates of verbal and physical abuse, GMB Congress said today.

Body cams would also provide an indisputable record an incident, helping with complaints, disciplinaries, and personal injury claims.

David Chatterton, refuse worker and GMB delegate, told Congress:

“Every single day refuse workers come across aggression, verbal abuse, and physical violence when we’re just trying to do our job.

“We’ve had colleagues struck by impatient drivers and I’ve even seen a colleague chased and threatened with a hammer.

“We have no way of capturing these kinds of incidents when they occur and we need to be better protected.

"The situation is particularly tough for street cleaners, who often work alone. “Providing all refuse workers and street cleaners with a body cam – as many other public-facing workers are – could help to deter would-be aggressors.

“It would also ensure that anyone who attacks the hardworking people who keep the streets clean cannot act with impunity.”