Waste Company Fined After Dangerous Skip Stockpiling And Poor Vehicle Pedestrian Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked unsafely and inadequate separation between vehicles and pedestrians. The case resulted in a prison fine and costs order, and it followed previous enforcement action for related risks.

What Was The Incident?

HSE inspectors visited a waste and recycling site and observed that vehicles and mobile equipment were driven around the yard, while pedestrian routes were not effectively segregated or designed. The pedestrian entrance was secured, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles, without clear 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to the site layout, so it did not cover key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilet facilities. Inspectors also found skips piled three high in places, with some skips deformed. The stacking was in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, creating a high risk of collapse and falling.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Act. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE had previously served improvement notices after further action following an earlier visit, requiring specified remedies, and it had also issued prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and collapse risks.

Key Points To Consider

Control vehicle and pedestrian movements properly. Ensure pedestrians have safe routes with effective segregation and crossing arrangements rather than being forced to share the same movement areas as vehicles.

Keep traffic management arrangements current and usable. If a traffic plan exists, make sure it is visible to staff and visitors and that it reflects current site layouts and pedestrian patterns.

Prevent collapse risk from unstable stockpiles. Avoid dangerous stacking of skips or other heavy items, especially where deformation is present, and recognise that height increases the likelihood of collapse and falling.

Consider foreseeable site access where people regularly work. Do not locate risky stockpiles in areas frequently accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles, since this increases the severity of consequences if an item falls.

Act quickly on enforcement and prior warnings. Where notices and prior enforcement relate to similar risks, take remedial action within the required timescales and treat repeated concerns as a sign that arrangements are not working.

HSE Prosecution Link