Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Traffic Management

Brief Summary

The HSE found multiple serious failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stockpiled three high in areas accessed by workers and poor segregation between vehicles and pedestrians. The employer was fined after guilty pleas, highlighting the need for safe workplace circulation and effective controls for heavy items and site traffic.

What Was The Incident?

HSE inspectors attended the site on 11 August 2022 and observed vehicles being driven around the yard without effective segregation from pedestrians. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, so people on foot had 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site layout had changed. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and stacked three high in places, increasing the risk of collapse or falling. These skips were located in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. HSE enforcement also included earlier prohibition notices served in 2019 related to stockpiling and risks of collapse, and improvement notices requiring action were served before a further HSE visit.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians and vehicles effectively. Do not rely on a plan on paper, use designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people on foot are not forced to use vehicle routes.

Keep traffic arrangements current and visible. If the site layout changes, update traffic information so it reflects real pedestrian movements and ensure staff and visitors can easily see it.

Control the risks from stockpiled skips. Heavy waste containers can collapse if stacked in unstable ways or if damaged, so ensure stacking arrangements prevent deformation and limit height risks.

Avoid placing unstable materials where people regularly pass. Do not locate stockpiles in areas that workers access frequently on foot or by vehicle, because falling objects can create serious harm.

Treat previous enforcement as a warning to improve. Where earlier enforcement action has been taken, you must ensure controls are improved and sustained, not simply meet short term requirements.

HSE Prosecution Link