Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling And Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips piled three high in areas used by workers and inadequate segregation between vehicles and pedestrians. Although improvement notices were served following the first inspection, the company had previously faced enforcement action for similar concerns. The employer pleaded guilty and was fined with costs ordered.

What Was The Incident?

HSE inspectors visited the site and observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven freely around the yard, while pedestrian access was restricted by chaining and padlocking. Pedestrians were forced to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles, with no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. The employer had a visual traffic plan, but it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because site arrangements had changed. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and piled three high in places, increasing instability and 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 being struck by a falling stack.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE had previously served prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices were served requiring actions within specified timescales after a follow up visit.

Key Points To Consider

Prevent skip collapse with safe stacking and control of access. Where skip size and weight create serious collapse risk, ensure stacking is stable and locate skips so that workers are not regularly exposed to areas where falling could occur.

Segregate vehicles and pedestrians using workable routes. Pedestrians must have safe circulation routes, crossing points, and clear separation from vehicle movements so they do not end up sharing the same path as lorries and other vehicles.

Keep traffic management plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be communicated and accessible to staff and visitors, and it must be updated when site configuration changes so it reflects actual pedestrian movements and vehicle routes.

Respond to enforcement action with sustained improvements. Previous prohibition notices for related risks should drive effective change rather than repeat non compliance, with actions that address the underlying control failures and prevent recurrence.

Take reversing and mixed movement risks seriously. When vehicles operate on sites with pedestrian activity, particularly where reversing or complex movements occur, employers must consider additional precautions and implement them to protect people working nearby.

HSE Prosecution Link