Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Vehicle and Pedestrian Control

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failings at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high in areas workers regularly accessed, and a lack of effective segregation between vehicles and pedestrians. The employer had previously faced enforcement action for similar risks, making the outcome more serious. The company pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined and ordered to pay costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit, inspectors observed tipper lorries and loading shovels driven freely around the site. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, and pedestrians were forced to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points, despite the need to manage reversing and vehicle movements. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because site arrangements had changed, meaning it did not address key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips that were unsafely stacked, with some deformed and some locations stacking skips three high. The height and instability increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. These stacks were located in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer previously received prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. After further action, improvement notices required corrective measures within a specified timescale. The company pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Plan and implement clear pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements so pedestrians do not have to use vehicle paths, especially where large vehicles operate and reversal is likely.

Keep traffic plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be accessible to staff and visitors and updated when site layout changes, including routes for common movements such as access to welfare facilities.

Control reversing risks with additional precautions. Where large vehicles must reverse, ensure additional measures are in place to protect people working nearby, rather than relying on general traffic arrangements.

Prevent skip stockpiling from creating collapse hazards. Avoid unsafe stacking arrangements that can lead to instability, including over stacking, damaged or deformed skips, and placement of stacks where they can fall onto people.

Act promptly on enforcement signals and improvement notices. When enforcement action has already been taken for similar hazards, a failure to remediate quickly and properly is likely to result in further scrutiny and serious penalties.

HSE Prosecution Link