BROMLEY: Worker stabbed by junkie's syringe in freak accident

A PARK-KEEPER who suffered "10 months of hell" after he was jabbed by a junkie's needle is calling on the council to clean up its act.

Martin Mackness, 38, of Laburnum Way, Bromley, was terrified he had contracted hepatitis or HIV.

The father-of-three now knows he is in the clear but is urging the council's contractors to provide parkies with better safety gear to prevent future accidents like this.

He was using his strimmer in Penge Park, High Street, when the blade hit a discarded syringe which flicked into the air and stuck into his knee.

He said: "I was using a big agricultural strimmer when the end of the blade picked up this needle which flew into my knee.

"It went in up to the hilt.

"I realised not only had I been stabbed but it was a junkie's syringe."

He added: "I was very scared and immediately thought my life may be at risk from diseases."

Mr Mackness says the park, which houses a children's playground, is littered with up to 30 hypodermics every morning despite being near a needle exchange in Blean Grove.

So he is appealing to Bromley Council and contractor, Leyland-based Enterprise to clean up the area for the safety of park staff and the youngsters playing nearby.

Mr Mackness was employed by Enterprise, a company which maintained grassed areas in Bromley and Penge for Bromley Council, at the time of the incident in April 2002.

He now performs the same role for Groundforce which is a company contracted by Enterprise.

Mr Mackness said: "They tell us to pick up these needles but all they give us is a pair of gloves and some boots, which offer no protection. Some of these needles are hidden in the grass."

Mr Mackness says he fears another incident.

He said: "The worry put me through 10 months of hell.

"It's over now but the needles are still there and if it was to happen again it would tip me over the edge.

"All I want is to have proper equipment and the park shut down while the problem is sorted out.

"This is not just for me and my colleagues but for the children who play there as well."

A spokesman for Bromley Council said: "All contractors carrying out these type of operations are expected to comply with health and safety regulations. These include requirements to provide clothing to ensure employees are not exposed to risk."

January 28, 2003 11:00