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

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple safety failings at a waste and recycling site, including skips stockpiled up to three high and poor separation between pedestrians and vehicles. The company was previously subject to enforcement about skip stockpiling and collapse risks, yet significant hazards were still present, leading to a fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

During an HSE site visit, inspectors saw vehicles moving around the yard without effective pedestrian control. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, so pedestrians had to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. The site did not have effective segregation through designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. Inspectors also found skips stacked unsafely, with some deformed and stacked three high in places, increasing the likelihood of collapse or falling. Skips were located in areas regularly accessed by workers on foot and in vehicles, leaving people exposed if skips fell.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs. Improvement notices were served requiring corrective action within a specified timescale, and HSE identified that earlier enforcement action had already addressed similar issues, including prohibition notices served in 2019 relating to stockpiling and collapse risk.

Key Points To Consider

Provide real pedestrian and vehicle separation. Do not rely on general site layouts or plans; ensure designated pedestrian routes and crossing points are in place and understood by staff and visitors, especially where pedestrians must otherwise use vehicle routes.

Control reversing and vehicle movements with additional precautions. Where large vehicles reverse, consider extra measures to protect people nearby. Ensure the traffic system is organised so pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely across the whole site.

Stop skip stockpiling hazards before they create collapse risk. Check that skips are stored and stacked safely for stability, including preventing deformation and avoiding heights that increase collapse or falling risks, particularly in areas people routinely access.

Keep traffic management information current and visible. A visual traffic plan is not enough if it is not visible, not accessible to those on site, or out of date after site changes. Review and update traffic arrangements when the yard layout changes.

Act promptly on enforcement history and improvement requirements. If previous prohibition or other enforcement has highlighted the same type of risk, treat it as evidence that controls need strengthening. Respond within improvement notice timescales and verify that hazards have been eliminated, not just planned for.

HSE Prosecution Link