Waste Company Fined for Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Vehicle Pedestrian Risks

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple failures at a waste and recycling site, including a lack of effective segregation between vehicles and pedestrians and skips piled three high in areas used by workers. The company had previously faced enforcement action over stockpiling and collapse risks, but improvements were not sustained.

What Was The Incident?

On the day of the HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and other plant moving around the site, with pedestrians having to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, and there were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, including pedestrian needs such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including some deformed skips that increased instability. In places the stack was three high, which raised the likelihood of collapse or a skip falling, and the skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

Following the visit, improvement notices were served requiring actions within specified timescales. HSE then investigated and found the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action, with prohibition notices served in 2019 about stockpiling and collapse risks. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. A fine of £167,000 was imposed and the company was ordered to pay £16,195 costs.

Key Points To Consider

Provide effective segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. Where people must share access with vehicles, ensure there are clear designated pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements, rather than forcing pedestrians to use vehicle routes.

Keep traffic management information current and usable. If you rely on traffic plans, make sure they are visible to those on site and reflect the current site layout, including changes affecting pedestrian movements.

Control reversal and manoeuvring risks with suitable precautions. When large vehicles reverse or manoeuvre around working areas, assess the risk to those nearby and implement additional precautions where needed to protect people in the vicinity.

Prevent skip collapse by managing stacking height and condition. Do not allow skips to be stacked in a way that increases the likelihood of collapse or falling, and do not use skips that are deformed or unstable.

Act on previous enforcement and sustain compliance. If enforcement action has previously been taken, treat it as a clear warning to review systems and ensure risks related to stockpiling and site transport arrangements are properly controlled on an ongoing basis.

HSE Prosecution Link