Waste Company Fined After Dangerous Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including poor segregation between vehicles and pedestrians and skips stockpiled up to three high in areas where workers were regularly present. The employer was fined and ordered to pay costs following prosecution for breaches of duties to keep people safe from death and serious injury.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit on 11 August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and loading equipment being driven around the site, with a pedestrian entrance chained and padlocked. People on foot were therefore forced to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles, and there were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points to separate pedestrians from vehicles. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and some areas stacked three high. The stacking increased the likelihood of collapse or falling, and skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed since the plan was created, so it did not cover key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to toilets.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served and further investigation followed, HSE found the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 concerning stockpiling and collapse risks. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs on 5 May 2026.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure pedestrians and vehicles are genuinely segregated. Do not rely on informal arrangements where people are forced onto vehicle routes; provide clear pedestrian routes and crossing points so pedestrians are not exposed to vehicle movements.

Control reversing and mixed vehicle movement risks. Where large vehicles operate, plan additional precautions for vehicle movement and take proportionate measures to protect people working nearby, including reducing conflict where possible.

Maintain traffic management information that people can actually use. A traffic plan must be visible to staff and visitors and kept up to date when site layouts or access routes change, including routes used to reach facilities such as toilets.

Prevent unsafe stockpiling of heavy items. Stacking skips and similar loads must be controlled to prevent instability and deformation, and layouts must avoid placing heavy stock near areas regularly accessed by workers.

Act quickly and thoroughly after enforcement is served. If improvement notices or earlier prohibition action highlights the same risks, treat the matter as high priority and ensure the required changes are implemented effectively within the stated timescales.

HSE Prosecution Link