Waste Company Fined After Unsafe Skip Stockpiling and Poor Vehicle Pedestrian Control

Brief Summary

The HSE found multiple failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high with instability risks and poor control of vehicle and pedestrian movements. Improvement notices and earlier enforcement history did not lead to effective improvements, resulting in a fine.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit in August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles and plant being driven around the site, with pedestrians unable to use a dedicated pedestrian entrance because it was chained and padlocked. Pedestrians were forced to use the vehicle access route used by lorries and other vehicles, and there were no effective segregation measures such as designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to the site layout, including pedestrian routes such as access to toilets. Inspectors also found skips unsafely stacked, with some deformed and stacked in an area regularly accessed by workers on foot or in vehicles. The stack height was up to three high in places, increasing the likelihood of collapse or falling, and the potential consequences of any collapse were described as potentially catastrophic.

What Was The Outcome?

After improvement notices were served requiring remedial action, a further HSE investigation found previous enforcement, including prohibition notices in 2019 relating to stockpiling and risks of collapse. The company pleaded guilty to two offences under s33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to fulfil duties under sections 2 and 3 by putting people on site at risk of death and or serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Separate pedestrians from vehicles in a usable way. Provide designated pedestrian routes and crossing points so people do not have to use vehicle access routes, and ensure access arrangements remain safe and practical in everyday use.

Control reversing and vehicle movement with effective measures. Where large vehicles operate, manage the circulation and movement of vehicles to reduce the need for unsafe pedestrian interactions, and implement additional precautions where required.

Keep traffic management plans visible and current. A traffic plan must be communicated so staff and visitors can follow it, and it must be reviewed and updated when the site layout changes so it still reflects how people move around the site.

Do not stockpile skips in a way that can collapse. Stack skips to a safe standard, avoid conditions that increase instability such as deformation, limit stacking heights appropriately, and prevent skips being placed in areas regularly accessed by people.

Treat enforcement history as a warning to improve properly. If previous enforcement action has identified the same type of risk, ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively and sustained, rather than relying on outdated plans or partial measures.

HSE Prosecution Link