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

Brief Summary

HSE prosecuted a waste and recycling employer after inspection findings showed poor control of vehicle and pedestrian circulation and dangerously stockpiled skips. The HSE investigation followed enforcement action in the past, including prohibition notices relating to stockpiling and collapse risk, yet similar failures were found again.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed tipper lorries and loading shovels moving around the site and found that pedestrians were not effectively segregated from vehicles. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use a route intended for vehicles and lorries. Although a traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some skips deformed and the stack reaching three high in places. The stack height and deformation increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. Skips were also located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicle, creating a significant risk of falling debris.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE had previously served improvement notices following the inspection, requiring action within a specified timescale, and carried out a further investigation 11 days later after enforcement action. HSE also noted earlier enforcement in 2019, including prohibition notices relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure clear pedestrian and vehicle segregation on site. Do not rely on informal arrangements. Provide safe pedestrian routes and crossing points so people can circulate without being forced into vehicle areas, especially where vehicles move freely around the site.

Keep traffic management plans current and visible. A traffic plan is only useful if it is available to staff and visitors and reflects the actual site layout. Review and update it when the configuration changes, including key pedestrian movements such as access routes to welfare facilities.

Control skip storage to prevent collapse and falling. Treat skip stockpiling as a fall and collapse hazard due to size and weight. Avoid unsafe stacking, including deformed skips, and do not stack in areas where people regularly work or pass.

Act quickly after enforcement notices and repeat findings. Improvement notices set deadlines that must be met. If enforcement action has already highlighted the same type of hazard, assume HSE will look for effective correction and will not accept partial or delayed improvements.

Plan additional precautions where large vehicles reverse or manoeuvre. Where large vehicles reverse or need to manoeuvre, standard controls may not be enough. Identify the specific risks to people nearby and implement additional measures to protect those on foot.

HSE Prosecution Link