This is the moment a rubbish bin was almost hit by a gas canister explosion.
CCTV footage shows two men dressed in orange high-visibility suits clearing general rubbish bins at a closure in Slough, Berkshire, on May 14.
After one of the men places a container in someone’s driveway, he turns to meet his colleague, who can be seen walking towards him from another house.
The pair then begin walking back towards the garbage truck when a red gas can flies through the air.
The workers look up before one of them quickly covers his head with his hands, ducks and runs.
The metal can narrowly misses his head.
CCTV footage shows two men dressed in orange high-visibility suits clearing bins at a closure in Slough, Berkshire, on May 14.
Suddenly a red gas cylinder is seen flying through the air.
One of the workers quickly covers his head with his hands and crouches down.
The metal can almost hit his head.
The workers are seen talking to each other before one of them carefully places the container upright.
The boat bounces and stops in an empty parking space.
When the shock wears off, the garbage collectors can be seen talking to each other before one of them lifts the container and carefully places it upright.
Following this terrifying incident, Berkshire homeowners are being urged to ensure they dispose of their rubbish correctly.
Councilor Gurcharan Singh Manku, of Slough Borough Council, said: “Gas canisters of any type should never be placed in a household bin and can be disposed of free of charge at our recycling centre.
‘The crew were lucky today as only their quick reflexes saved them from potentially serious injuries.
“I would hate to think what would have happened if they hadn’t reacted so quickly or if there had been a child or even a local resident nearby who ended up getting hit.”
Placing cans in general waste or mixed recycling containers can cause them to explode at waste facilities or even inside garbage collection vehicles.
Both scenarios put waste disposal personnel at risk.
Gas canisters mixed with flammable recycling can also pose a fire hazard.
The safest way to dispose of a petrol can is to visit your local recycling centre, as recommended by Slough Council.
You must ensure that any non-fixed parts are removed before you can set it down safely.
Bins and rubbish photographed on the streets of Slough. Slough Council recommends that people dispose of their gas cylinders at their local recycling center
Councilor Manku added: ‘Putting the wrong things in the bins is not only unnecessary but also dangerous, not only for our teams but also for your friends and neighbors.
“This incident shows how dangerous it is, so I ask everyone to think about the wellbeing of others and only put things in their bins that should be there.”