Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Weak Vehicle Pedestrian Control

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple workplace control failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stockpiled up to three high in areas accessed by workers and an unsafe traffic and pedestrian arrangement. The risk of collapse was described as potentially catastrophic, and previous enforcement action had already highlighted legal duties. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences and received a fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE inspection on 11 August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles circulating freely around the site and identified poor arrangements for pedestrians. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points, and reversing and vehicle movements were not managed with adequate precautions. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to the site configuration. It did not address key pedestrian movements, including access across the yard to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely. Some skips were deformed, the stack height was three high in places, and this increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. The skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, so anyone in that area would be at significant risk if a skip fell.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served requiring action within a specified timescale, HSE investigated further. The investigation found the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action, with prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33 1 a of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing in duties under section 2 and section 3 by exposing people on site to risk of death and/or serious personal injury. The employer was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Prevent collapse risks from heavy materials and waste storage. Where large and heavy skips are stored, stack stability must be controlled and reviewed, including the effects of deformation and height, because collapse consequences can be catastrophic.

Separate pedestrians from vehicles with clear routes. Design and implement effective pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to share the same areas and routes used by lorries and other vehicles, especially where vehicle movements are frequent.

Keep traffic plans visible and current. A traffic plan is not enough if it is not visible or is out of date. Reassess and update arrangements when site layout changes so they address real pedestrian movements across the yard.

Position hazards away from areas people routinely use. Avoid storing skips in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, because any falling or collapse will put people at immediate risk.

Use previous enforcement as a trigger to improve systems. If enforcement action has already identified failures, treat it as a prompt to close gaps in management systems and site controls rather than repeating the same type of risk.

HSE Prosecution Link