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

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failings at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked up to three high, unstable and deformed, and ineffective segregation so pedestrians were routed through vehicle areas. The employer had an out of date traffic plan, and enforcement action had previously been taken for similar risks of stockpiling and collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to offences and was fined and ordered to pay costs.

What Was The Incident?

On 11 August 2022, HSE inspectors visited a waste and recycling site where vehicles, including tipper lorries and loading shovels, were driven around the yard. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. HSE reported that there were no effective arrangements for designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and had become out of date because the site layout had changed, so it did not address pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. HSE also found skips unsafely stacked, including skips that were deformed, which increased instability. In places the stack height was three high, increasing the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers, whether on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served requiring remedial action, HSE carried out a further investigation and found the employer had previously been subject to enforcement, including prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to fulfil duties under sections 2 and 3 by putting people on site at risk of death and or serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Ensure there are clear and effective arrangements such as designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to use vehicle routes.

Keep traffic management plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be easy for staff and visitors to find and must be updated when site layout and pedestrian movements change.

Control skip stacking to prevent collapse and falling. Where skips are stockpiled, stacking arrangements must account for their size and weight and reduce instability, including addressing any deformation.

Assess risks in areas regularly accessed by workers. Avoid placing unstable stockpiles in locations that workers commonly use on foot or in vehicles, since a fall or collapse creates serious consequences.

Act quickly after enforcement and learn from prior action. If improvement notices or earlier prohibition action have been issued for similar hazards, ensure corrective measures are implemented effectively within the required timescales.

HSE Prosecution Link