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

Brief Summary

The Health and Safety Executive found multiple workplace safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including poorly managed vehicle and pedestrian routes and skips piled three high in locations that increased the risk of collapse. The employer had also previously received enforcement action related to stockpiling and collapse risks.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE inspection in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading plant being driven around the site, with pedestrian routes not properly secured. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation with designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, including key pedestrian movements such as access to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, some deformed, with stacks reaching three high in places. The instability and height increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, exposing people to the risk of falls.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served requiring action within specified timescales, HSE investigation concluded there had been previous enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Provide real vehicle and pedestrian segregation. Plan and manage circulation so pedestrians are not forced into vehicle routes, with clear designated pedestrian routes and crossing arrangements where needed.

Keep traffic management plans current and communicated. A traffic plan is only effective if it is visible to staff and visitors and reflects the current site layout and key pedestrian movements.

Control risks from reversing and site traffic. Where large vehicles reverse, treat it as a heightened risk and apply additional precautions to protect anyone nearby.

Do not store skips in ways that can collapse. Stacking height, deformation, and placement in frequently accessed areas can all increase the likelihood of collapse and falling, so arrangements must prevent that risk.

Address repeated enforcement findings promptly. If previous enforcement action has highlighted the same legal duty, ensure corrective measures are implemented and sustained within required timescales.

HSE Prosecution Link