Waste Company Fined for Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

The Health and Safety Executive found multiple breaches at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high in areas regularly accessed by workers and poor control of vehicle and pedestrian movement. The employer had also previously been subject to enforcement action relating to stockpiling and collapse risks, making the failures a serious concern.

What Was The Incident?

Inspectors visiting the site observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven around freely, with pedestrians unable to use a pedestrian entrance because it was chained and padlocked. Pedestrians were therefore directed to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles, with no effective segregation by designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, meaning it did not address key pedestrian movements, such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed skips and a stack height of three high in places. The height and deformation increased the likelihood of collapse or items falling. The skips were stored in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure pedestrians and vehicles are properly segregated. Where vehicle movements are routine, do not rely on ad hoc pedestrian routing; provide designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to use vehicle paths.

Keep site traffic arrangements current and visible. A traffic plan only helps if it is visible and reflects the live site configuration, including access routes for pedestrians such as toilet access across the yard.

Control reversing and mixed movements with extra precautions. If large vehicles need to reverse, carry out a specific risk assessment and implement additional precautions to protect people working nearby.

Prevent collapse risks from stockpiled skips. Manage stacking so that skip deformation and excessive stack heights do not create an unacceptable risk of collapse or falling materials in areas people regularly access.

Act on prior enforcement and tighten compliance. If previous enforcement action has highlighted stockpiling and collapse risks, treat it as a clear warning to review and improve controls rather than repeating the same failures.

HSE Prosecution Link