Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE prosecuted an employer in the waste and recycling sector after finding multiple site safety failures, including skips stacked three high in areas regularly used by workers. The case highlights the need for effective traffic management, safe segregation of pedestrians and vehicles, and robust arrangements when heavy items could collapse.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit to a waste and recycling site, inspectors observed vehicles and plant being driven around the yard with pedestrians being routed via the same entrance route used by lorries and other vehicles. The pedestrian entrance was secured, and 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to site layout, including missing key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and stacked in places three high. The height and instability increased the likelihood of collapse and falling, and the stacks were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles. HSE described the risk from collapse as potentially catastrophic.

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 1974. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE enforcement included improvement notices after the concerns were identified, and the later investigation found the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action, including prohibition notices served in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse.

Key Points To Consider

Provide real vehicle and pedestrian separation. Ensure pedestrians have safe routes and crossing points, and do not rely on chained entrances or shared routes that leave people exposed to moving vehicles.

Keep traffic plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be accessible to staff and visitors and updated when site layout or work patterns change, so it reflects how people actually move around the yard.

Control risks from stacking heavy items. Assess the stability of stacks of skips or similar heavy waste containers, especially where some are deformed, and do not stack them where people regularly pass or work.

Plan for potentially catastrophic consequences. Where collapse could cause death or serious injury, treat it as a major risk and implement additional precautions rather than assuming good luck will prevent harm.

Use prior enforcement as a trigger to improve. If enforcement action has already been taken, review and strengthen controls to ensure legal duties are fully met and that improvements are sustained over time.

HSE Prosecution Link