Waste Company Fined for Dangerous Skip Stockpiling and Weak Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE identified multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked up to three high in locations accessed by workers and inadequate segregation between vehicles and pedestrians. The employer had already been subject to earlier enforcement for stockpiling and collapse risks. The company pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined with costs ordered.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE inspection in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and mobile plant moving around the site, including tipper lorries and loading shovels. Pedestrian access was restricted by a chained and padlocked entrance, so people had to use the same route intended for vehicles. There were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points, despite a requirement for safe workplace organisation so pedestrians and vehicles can circulate without risk. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, so it did not cover key pedestrian movements, including access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including some deformed skips that increased instability. In places the stack height was three high, which increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were placed in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot and in vehicles, creating a serious risk of falling objects.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices required action within a set timescale, a further investigation found the employer had previously received enforcement action, including prohibition notices served in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33 one a of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing duties under sections 2 and 3. The fine was £167,000 and costs of £16,195 were ordered at Southwark Crown Court on 5 May 2026.

Key Points To Consider

Prevent pedestrian and vehicle mixing across the whole site. Use clear designated pedestrian routes and crossing points rather than routing people through vehicle areas, and ensure the traffic system is suitable for site movements in practice.

Keep traffic planning arrangements current and communicated. A traffic plan must be visible to those using the site and updated when the layout changes, including routes used for welfare access such as toilets.

Control stored loads so collapse risk is actively managed. High and unstable stack arrangements, including damaged skips, should be treated as a serious collapse and falling objects risk, especially where workers regularly pass close by.

Address restrictions and limitations for safe reversing and circulation. Where large vehicles need to reverse or where vehicle movements require additional precautions, implement the extra control measures needed to protect people working nearby.

Use prior enforcement as a trigger to raise standards. If enforcement action has previously identified similar stockpiling and collapse risks, treat it as evidence that existing arrangements are not good enough and ensure corrective action is effective and sustained.

HSE Prosecution Link