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

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked up to three high and inadequate segregation between vehicles and pedestrians. The company had improvement notices served after the first visit and had previously faced enforcement action over stockpiling and collapse risk. It pleaded guilty to two offences and was fined and ordered to pay costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE visit on 11 August 2022, inspectors observed vehicles circulating freely around the site and a pedestrian entrance that was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There was no effective segregation or 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 Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date after changes to the site layout, including not addressing pedestrian access to toilets. Inspectors also found skips unsafely stacked, with some deformed skips increasing instability and stacks reaching three high in places. Skips were located in areas regularly accessed by workers, either on foot or in vehicles, creating a high risk of collapse or falling.

What Was The Outcome?

Following the initial findings, improvement notices were served requiring corrective action within specified timescales. The company pleaded guilty to two offences under section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 relating to duties under sections 2 and 3, after putting employees, agency workers and other persons at risk of death and serious personal injury. The company was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs at Southwark Crown Court on 5 May 2026. The case notes that the business had previously been subject to enforcement action, including prohibition notices in 2019 about stockpiling and risks of collapse.

Key Points To Consider

Ensure safe segregation of people and vehicles. Provide clear, effective pedestrian routes and crossing points so pedestrians are not forced to use vehicle routes, and keep traffic areas organised to reduce collision and crushing risks.

Control reversing and vehicle movement with added precautions. Where large vehicles reverse or circulate on site, take specific measures to protect people working nearby, and do not rely on general arrangements alone.

Maintain and communicate site traffic management plans. A traffic plan must be visible and current, and it must reflect changes in site layout so it covers key pedestrian movements such as access to welfare facilities.

Stop unsafe stockpiling and prevent collapse of heavy loads. Do not stack skips in ways that increase instability, such as piling multiple skips high or allowing deformation, particularly where stacks are in frequently accessed areas.

Act promptly when enforcement notices are served. Improvement notices set a required timescale for remedial action, and previous enforcement history makes it essential to demonstrate effective, sustained control rather than repeated shortcomings.

HSE Prosecution Link