Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

The Health and Safety Executive found multiple site management failures at a waste and recycling operation, including unsafe skip stacking and poor separation of pedestrians and vehicles. The company was prosecuted, pleaded guilty to two offences, and was fined and ordered to pay costs. The case highlights the need for effective traffic management and safe storage of heavy items to prevent collapse and serious harm.

What Was The Incident?

HSE inspectors visited a waste and recycling site and found that vehicles and loading equipment were driven around areas without effective pedestrian routes or crossing points. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use routes used by lorries and other vehicles. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because site layout changes were not reflected in it, including routes linked to access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and a stack height of three high in places. The stacking increased the likelihood of collapse and falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, creating a high risk to people who could be struck by falling skips.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 costs. HSE reported that the case followed earlier enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 related to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and that improvement notices were served after a follow up visit.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure pedestrians and vehicles are genuinely separated. Do not rely on a paper or partial arrangement. Provide designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to use vehicle routes, especially where reversing or heavy vehicle movement is common.

Keep traffic plans current and visible. A visual traffic plan must reflect the current site layout and key pedestrian movements. Make sure staff and visitors can actually see and follow the plan.

Stack skips and heavy items safely to prevent collapse. Take account of the size and weight of skips and the impact of deformed skips and increased stack height. Reduce the likelihood of collapse and falling by controlling stacking methods and layout.

Avoid placing stored hazards where people routinely pass. If items could fall, store them away from areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles. Site layout should protect people from foreseeable interactions with stored materials.

Learn from prior enforcement and improve promptly. Where earlier prohibition or other enforcement has identified similar risks, treat it as a clear warning to address root causes. Improvement actions must be effective within the required timescales and reflect changes on site.

HSE Prosecution Link