Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling And Weak Traffic Management

Brief Summary

HSE identified multiple failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stockpiled three high with instability risks and ineffective separation of vehicles and pedestrians. The employer also had a traffic plan that was not visible, not up to date, and did not address key pedestrian movements.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit, inspectors observed vehicles circulating freely around the site, while the pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked. Pedestrians were forced to use the vehicle entrance route, and there were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points to segregate pedestrians from vehicles. Although the employer had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date following changes to the site layout. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed, and in places stacked three high. The stack height increased the likelihood of collapse or falling. Skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot and by vehicles, which placed people at significant risk of being struck by falling or collapsing skips.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. The company was fined 167,000 and ordered to pay 16,195 in costs. HSE had previously served prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices were served before the subsequent investigation. The enforcement outcome reflects HSEs view that the potential consequences of any skip collapse could be catastrophic.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Design and maintain designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people are not forced to use vehicle routes, especially where vehicles move and reverse on site.

Keep traffic plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be available to the people who need it and updated when the site layout or movements change so it continues to reflect real pedestrian routes and access points.

Control skip storage to prevent collapse. Ensure skips are stacked safely and in a stable manner, taking account of weight and size and removing or addressing deformed skips that add instability.

Avoid storing hazards where people regularly pass. Do not place stockpiled skips in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot or by vehicles unless risks are controlled, since falling or collapse can create serious injury risk.

Act on prior enforcement and improvement notices promptly. If enforcement action has previously identified the same type of failing, treat it as a clear warning and implement the required control measures within the specified timescales.

HSE Prosecution Link