Waste Company Fined After Skips Stockpiled Unsafely and Pedestrian Vehicle Separation Failed

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high in places, poor segregation between vehicles and pedestrians, and traffic management arrangements that were not effective for staff or visitors. The employer was fined and ordered to pay costs following guilty pleas for offences.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading equipment driven freely around the site, while pedestrian access was obstructed by a chained and padlocked entrance. People were forced to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles, with no effective segregation through designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. HSE also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and stacked in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles. In some locations the stack was three high, which increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff and visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed since it was produced, including pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Improvement notices were later issued requiring remedial actions within specified timescales. HSE records showed there had been previous enforcement action in 2019, with prohibition notices served relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to fulfil duties under sections 2 and 3 by putting people on site at risk of death and or serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Use effective pedestrian and vehicle segregation. Make sure pedestrians have safe designated routes and crossing points, rather than relying on people sharing the same movement space as lorries and other plant.

Control reversing and site movement risks. Where large vehicles reverse or move close to people, consider additional precautions and apply them so that the risks to those nearby are actually managed.

Keep traffic plans visible and up to date. Traffic management arrangements must be accessible to staff and visitors and reviewed when the site layout changes, so that they still address real pedestrian movements across the yard.

Prevent skip collapse through safe stacking arrangements. Do not stockpile skips in a way that increases instability, including stacks that are too high or skips that are deformed, and avoid placing them where people regularly pass on foot or in vehicles.

Act on enforcement history and improvement notice requirements. If the regulator has previously identified similar failures, treat that as a clear warning to strengthen arrangements and to complete the required actions within the specified timescales.

HSE Prosecution Link