Waste Company Fined After Dangerous Skip Stockpiling and Weak Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

The Health and Safety Executive found multiple site management failures at a waste and recycling operation, including skips stockpiled up to three high and poor segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. An out of date traffic plan and ineffective pedestrian routing increased the likelihood of serious harm. The employer was fined for putting people on site at risk and had previously faced enforcement action for similar issues.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading activities operating across the site while pedestrian access was obstructed by a chained and padlocked entrance. People were forced to use the same route used by lorries and other vehicles, with no effective segregation through designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and did not reflect the site layout changes, including pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including some deformed skips that reduced stability, with stacks up to three high in places. The stacking took place in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, increasing the risk of a skip falling.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served and a further visit took place, the HSE investigation identified that the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 about stockpiling and collapse risks. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. Further enforcement action was supported by the court outcome.

Key Points To Consider

Provide real segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. Ensure people walking around the site have designated pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements, so vehicle movements and reversing activities do not overlap with pedestrian traffic in practice.

Keep traffic plans visible and up to date. A traffic plan must be accessible to staff and visitors and reflect current site layout and movement patterns, especially where pedestrian routes change.

Control skip storage to prevent collapse and falling. Stacking should be stable and appropriate for the size and weight of skips, taking into account conditions such as deformed skips and the height of any stack.

Avoid placing unstable loads where people regularly pass. Do not store skips in areas routinely accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, as this increases the consequences if a stack becomes unstable.

Act decisively after enforcement and earlier prohibitions. If improvement notices and earlier enforcement have identified serious hazards, the employer must implement effective corrective actions within the required timescales and verify they work on site.

HSE Prosecution Link