Waste Company Fined for Dangerous Skip Stockpiling and Weak Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple workplace safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high and unstable arrangements, plus ineffective separation between pedestrians and vehicles. Enforcement action followed, and the employer pleaded guilty to offences for failing to protect people on site, resulting in a fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit, inspectors observed vehicles and plant being driven around the site, with pedestrians unable to use a safe dedicated entrance because the pedestrian access was chained and padlocked. People were forced to use the vehicle route, and there were no effective pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed. Inspectors also found skips that were stacked unsafely, with some deformed and stacked in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles. In places the stacks were three high, which increased the likelihood of collapse or falling, described as potentially catastrophic given the size and weight of skips.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(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 also previously served enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 related to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices were served after a follow up visit within 11 days to require corrective action.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure safe pedestrian and vehicle separation. Pedestrians must have clearly defined routes that are segregated from vehicle movements, including safe crossing points where vehicles operate, rather than being redirected onto vehicle traffic routes.

Keep traffic management arrangements current and visible. A traffic plan is not enough if it is out of date and not communicated where people need it, particularly when the site layout changes.

Control risks from vehicle movements including reversing. Where large vehicles reverse and pedestrians are nearby, you need additional precautions to manage those interactions and protect people working around the circulation areas.

Avoid unstable stockpiling and uncontrolled stacking. Items with significant weight and size must not be stored in ways that increase collapse or falling hazards, especially where they can become deformed or stacked in locations that workers regularly access.

Act promptly on enforcement and previous warnings. If enforcement has already highlighted legal duties, repeat failures will be treated seriously, so improvement actions must be completed within timescales and verified on site.

HSE Prosecution Link