Waste Company Fined After Dangerous Skip Stockpiling And Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips being stockpiled in an unstable three high arrangement and poor segregation between pedestrians and vehicles. Enforcement action followed improvement notices, and the company pleaded guilty to two offences, receiving a substantial fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

HSE visited the site on 11 August 2022 and observed vehicles and machinery moving around the yard, while pedestrians were effectively directed to use the vehicle entrance route because the pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked. There was no effective segregation using 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, meaning it did not cover key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed, in places three high. The unstable stack height increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot and by vehicles, increasing the risk of people being struck by falling skips.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served requiring corrective action within a specified timescale, HSE investigation found the company had previously been subject to enforcement, including prohibition notices in 2019 about stockpiling and collapse risks. The company 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 towards costs.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians and vehicles properly. Ensure the site layout includes clear designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so pedestrians are not forced to use vehicle routes, particularly where reversing or large vehicles operate.

Keep traffic management information current and visible. A traffic plan must be accessible and understood by staff and visitors and must be updated when the site configuration changes so it covers key pedestrian movements.

Control the risk from unstable skip stockpiling. Do not store skips in a way that creates instability, including checking for deformation and managing stacking heights to prevent collapse or falling objects.

Avoid placing storage hazards in frequent work areas. Store skips away from areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles so that any falling object would not threaten people in active circulation zones.

Prior enforcement does not remove the duty to improve. If earlier prohibition or improvement action has already identified similar risks, address the underlying legal duties and demonstrate sustained compliance rather than relying on outdated or ineffective controls.

HSE Prosecution Link