Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE identified multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips piled up to three high and inadequate segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. The risk from unstable skip stacks was described as potentially catastrophic, and the employer had previously received enforcement action for similar issues. The employer pleaded guilty to offences and was fined with costs awarded.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit on 11 August 2022, inspectors observed tipper lorries and loading shovels being driven around the yard without effective segregation from pedestrians. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the vehicle route used by lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation through designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to site layout. It did not address key pedestrian movements, including access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely. Some skips were deformed and the stack was three high in places, increasing the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers either on foot or in vehicles, heightening the risk of people being struck by falling skips.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were issued and a further HSE visit took place 11 days later, investigation findings included that the employer had previously been subject to prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, relating to duties under sections 2 and 3 to protect people from risk of death or serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs on 5 May 2026.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians from vehicles effectively. Ensure clear designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people do not have to use the same routes as lorries and other vehicles.

Keep traffic management plans current and visible. A traffic plan must be accessible to staff and visitors and updated when the site layout changes, including routes to welfare facilities.

Control risks from unstable stockpiling. Check the condition and safe stacking of large items such as skips, and assess stack height and deformation as factors that can lead to collapse or falling objects.

Avoid placing high risk loads in frequently used areas. Do not locate dangerous stockpiles in areas regularly accessed on foot or by vehicles, since that greatly increases the chance that collapse will put people in the impact zone.

Act promptly on enforcement history. Previous prohibition action should trigger a review of controls and a clear plan to remove repeat breaches, rather than relying on existing arrangements that have failed.

HSE Prosecution Link