Waste Company Fined for Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Site Traffic Control

Brief Summary

HSE visited a waste and recycling site and found multiple health and safety failures, including skips stacked three high in areas used by workers and inadequate traffic management that forced pedestrians to use vehicle routes. The employer was previously subject to enforcement action for similar risks. The company pleaded guilty to offences and was fined.

What Was The Incident?

On the inspection date in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven around the site, while pedestrian access was chained and padlocked. People were required to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles because there were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points, and no effective segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. Although a traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after site layout changes, including missing key pedestrian movements such as access to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed, a stack height of three high in places, and skips located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, increasing the risk of collapse or falling.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, relating to failing to fulfil duties under Sections 2 and 3 by putting people on site at risk of death or serious injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE enforcement also noted the company had previously received prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices were served following the August 2022 concerns.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians from vehicles effectively. Ensure there are clearly defined pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements so people do not have to use vehicle routes, particularly where vehicles and large equipment move around the site.

Control reversing and movement risks. Where large vehicles must reverse, assess the risk to nearby workers and apply additional precautions to protect pedestrians and others in the vicinity.

Keep traffic management information current and visible. Do not rely on a plan that staff and visitors cannot see, and review it when the site layout or pedestrian movements change so it reflects current routes and access needs.

Prevent unsafe stockpiling and stack collapse. Manage the stability of stored items by addressing deformation, limiting stack height where needed, and ensuring stockpiling does not take place in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

Act on prior enforcement and improvement notices. If enforcement action has previously identified the same type of failings, treat it as a warning to improve controls quickly and thoroughly rather than repeating the same unsafe practices.

HSE Prosecution Link