Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling And Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

The Health and Safety Executive found multiple failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked up to three high in areas workers accessed and vehicle movements that were not properly separated from pedestrians. The employer had been previously warned through prohibition notices, but did not correct the risks. The case was prosecuted under workplace health and safety duties.

What Was The Incident?

On a site visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and machinery being driven around the yard, including tipper lorries and loading shovels. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, meaning pedestrians had to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation using designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. A traffic plan existed but it was not visible to staff or visitors and had not been updated after site layout changes, so it did not reflect key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips that were unsafely stacked, with some deformed, and stacked up to three high in places, which increased the risk of collapse or falling. The stack locations were areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles, increasing the risk to people if a skip fell.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served, a further investigation found earlier enforcement history, including prohibition notices in 2019 for stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences for failing to fulfil duties under health and safety legislation by exposing people on site to risk of death or serious personal injury. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Prevent vehicle and pedestrian conflicts. Make sure pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely with effective segregation, designated routes and suitable crossing arrangements rather than forcing people to share vehicle routes.

Keep traffic plans current and visible. A traffic plan is not enough on paper. Ensure it is visible to staff and visitors and update it when site layout changes, including day to day pedestrian movements.

Control the risks from heavy stored items. Where large items can fall or collapse, manage stacking arrangements and instability risks so that unsafe stacking and deformation are addressed and people are not exposed.

Avoid placing vulnerable storage near regular access routes. Do not store skips or other materials in areas that workers regularly access on foot or in vehicles, because the consequence of a fall is greater when people are nearby.

Use enforcement history to drive real improvement. If there has been prior enforcement action, treat it as a clear warning to review and fix the root causes, not just to meet a short timescale for compliance.

HSE Prosecution Link