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

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple workplace safety failings at a waste and recycling site including inadequate segregation between pedestrians and vehicles, an out of date and non visible traffic plan, and skips stockpiled in ways that increased the risk of collapse and falling. The employer was fined and ordered to pay costs after pleading guilty to offences.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven around the site with pedestrian access forced onto the same route used by lorries. The pedestrian entrance was secured so people could not use it, and there were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points to separate pedestrian movement from vehicle movements. A traffic plan existed but was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the yard layout had changed, including access routes such as those to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including some deformed skips, stacked up to three high in places, and located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, creating a serious risk of skips collapsing or falling onto people.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under the relevant health and safety legislation. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE had served multiple improvement notices after the initial visit and had previously taken enforcement action in 2019, including prohibition notices relating to stockpiling and collapse risks. A further visit was carried out 11 days after the notices to check progress.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians and vehicles properly on busy sites. Do not rely on barriers and informal routes. Ensure there are designated pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements that are effective in practice, especially where large vehicles operate and reversing is required.

Keep traffic management plans current and visible. A traffic plan must match the current site layout and key pedestrian movements. If staff and visitors cannot see it or it has not been updated after changes to the yard, it is not an effective control.

Control skip stacking to prevent collapse and falling. Stockpiling heavy skips three high in areas accessed by workers increases the risk of collapse and impact injuries. Stacks should be planned and maintained so they remain stable, including where skips show deformation.

Manage access routes to reduce exposure to hazards. Place hazardous stock and plant so that people are not routinely exposed to the risk zone on foot or from within vehicles. If workers must pass near the hazard, the layout and controls need redesign.

Act on previous enforcement and improvements promptly. Prior prohibition action indicates awareness of legal duties. When improvement notices are served, address the underlying failures within the required timescales and confirm that controls work after site changes.

HSE Prosecution Link