Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Segregation

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site including skips stacked three high, poor segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, and a traffic plan that was not effective. The employer had been subject to earlier enforcement for related issues, yet breaches continued, leading to prosecution and a fine.

What Was The Incident?

On 11 August 2022, HSE inspectors observed tipper lorries and loading shovels moving freely around the site. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the vehicle route used by lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation using designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. HSE also found that skips were unsafely stacked in places, with some deformed skips and a stack height of three high. The stacking area was regularly accessed by workers, either on foot or in vehicles, increasing the risk of skips falling. Although the site had a visual traffic plan, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed, including pedestrian access across the yard to toilets.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a). HSE reported failures of duties under Sections 2 and 3 by putting employees, agency workers and other persons at risk of death and or serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE also noted that prohibition notices had previously been served in 2019 in relation to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices were served following the 2022 visit with actions required within specified timescales.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Organise site circulation so pedestrians have safe routes and crossing points, rather than forcing them onto vehicle routes, especially where reversing or vehicle movements create additional risks.

Control hazards from skip stacking and instability. Ensure skips are stored and stacked in a way that prevents collapse and falling, taking account of the size and weight of skips, any visible deformation, and the height and location of stacks in areas workers access.

Keep traffic management plans visible and current. A plan is not effective if staff and visitors cannot see it, or if it does not reflect current site layouts and key pedestrian movements such as access across the yard to welfare facilities.

Act promptly on improvement notices and prior enforcement. When enforcement action is served, ensure the required changes are implemented within the timescale and address the underlying causes, particularly if there has been earlier enforcement for similar hazards.

Plan extra precautions where vehicles reverse or operate around people. Where large vehicles reverse or operate near people, consider additional control measures beyond basic arrangements to protect workers and other persons in the vicinity.

HSE Prosecution Link