Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Vehicle Pedestrian Control

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips piled three high and poor arrangements for separating pedestrians from vehicles. The employer was fined and ordered to pay costs, following further investigation after improvement notices.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed tipper lorries and loading shovels being driven around the site. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation through designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan was available, it was not visible to staff or visitors and it was out of date because the site layout had changed. It did not address key pedestrian movements, including access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed skips adding to instability. In places, the stack height was three high, increasing the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, exposing people to the risk of falling objects.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a). It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs following a hearing in May 2026.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Do not rely on shared routes where large vehicles operate. Provide designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people can move safely away from vehicle movement.

Keep traffic plans accurate and visible. A traffic plan must be communicated so that staff and visitors can use it. If the site layout changes, update the plan so it reflects real pedestrian movements and vehicle movements.

Control risks from stockpiled skips and falling loads. Ensure skip storage does not create instability. Consider the effect of skip condition, stack height, and the likelihood of collapse or falling when people routinely access the storage area.

Address risks around reversing and vehicle movement. Where large vehicles must reverse or otherwise manoeuvre near other people, introduce additional precautions to protect those working nearby and ensure they are implemented where needed.

Treat enforcement history as a reason to improve, not repeat failures. If previous prohibition notices have already highlighted duties and risks, you must take effective action to prevent recurrence rather than relying on plans that do not match current site conditions.

HSE Prosecution Link