Waste Company Fined After Dangerous Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including unsafe skip stockpiling and ineffective pedestrian and vehicle segregation. The company had previously faced enforcement action for similar risks, but did not address key weaknesses, leading to a fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven around the site without effective separation from pedestrians. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use a route also used by lorries and other vehicles. There were no effective segregation arrangements using designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including instances of deformation, a three high stack in places, and skips positioned in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, creating a serious risk of collapse and falling.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served and a further investigation followed, the company pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure safe segregation of pedestrians and vehicles. Set up clear, effective arrangements so people on foot use designated routes and crossings, rather than sharing routes with lorries and other vehicles, especially where vehicle movement is frequent.

Control reversing and vehicle movement with additional precautions. Where large vehicles need to reverse or pedestrians might be near vehicle movements, employers must consider extra measures beyond basic plans and make sure they are implemented to protect those nearby.

Keep site traffic information current and visible. If you have a traffic plan, it must be visible to staff and visitors and updated when site layouts change so it reflects current pedestrian movements and vehicle flows.

Prevent unstable storage of heavy items. Do not stockpile skips in a way that increases the likelihood of collapse. Account for skip size, weight, condition, stack height, and where items are stored relative to regular worker access.

Act decisively on prior enforcement and improvement notices. Where enforcement action has already highlighted similar failings, treat improvement requirements as a priority. Failure to correct known legal duties increases the risk of serious harm and further regulatory action.

HSE Prosecution Link