Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stacking and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips piled up to three high, limited or ineffective segregation between vehicles and pedestrians, and a traffic plan that was not visible or up to date. The employer was prosecuted, pleaded guilty to two offences, and was fined with costs ordered.

What Was The Incident?

At the site visit on 11 August 2022, HSE inspectors observed vehicles and shovels moving around the yard with no effective segregation from pedestrians. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, so it did not cover key pedestrian movements such as access to toilets. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, including deformed skips, with stacking up to three high in some areas. The stacking increased the likelihood of collapse or falling, and the skips were placed in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a) of the Act for failing to fulfil duties under Sections 2 and 3 by exposing people on site to risk of death and or serious personal injury. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. The outcome followed improvement notices served after a further HSE visit 11 days later, and HSE also noted the employer had previously been subject to enforcement action including prohibition notices in 2019 related to stockpiling and risks of collapse.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Where pedestrians and vehicle movements share a yard, use designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to use the same movement space as lorries and other vehicles.

Keep site traffic arrangements current and visible. A traffic plan that is not visible to those on site and does not reflect the current site layout will not control risk, especially when layouts change.

Avoid unstable stockpiles and stacking practices. Stacking large waste containers can create a collapse risk, particularly when skips are deformed or piled to excessive heights, so treat stack stability and condition as key controls.

Match storage location to the level of nearby access. Do not place high risk stacks in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles, because a fall or collapse will expose people who are routinely in the vicinity.

Act on enforcement history and improvement notices. Previous enforcement action should trigger a thorough review and timely implementation of required controls within the specified timescales, rather than relying on outdated arrangements.

HSE Prosecution Link