Waste Company Fined for Poor Welfare and Asbestos Awareness Failures

Brief Summary

An employer was prosecuted after HSE inspections found workers sorting waste by hand without appropriate washing and hygiene facilities, alongside a failure to provide asbestos awareness training even after asbestos material had been brought onto the site. The case resulted in a fine and costs.

What Was The Incident?

Workers at a North Wales waste and recycling site were tasked with sorting waste and recyclable materials by hand. A routine inspection identified that employees did not have access to warm running water and soap or a suitable way to dry themselves after handling potentially contaminated waste. HSE also found that at least one occasion involved asbestos being brought onto the site, but asbestos awareness training was not provided to employees.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £36,000 with £8,867 costs. The employer agreed to pay over a 16 month period.

Key Points To Consider

Provide adequate washing and drying facilities. If employees handle waste materials that could be contaminated, ensure they have access to suitable soap, warm running water, and a means to dry themselves at work.

Treat welfare failures as a serious health risk. Basic welfare provision is essential not only for cleanliness, but also to help reduce the risks from harmful microorganisms after work activities.

Do not rely on luck where asbestos could be encountered. Where workers might come across asbestos containing materials, control measures must be in place from the start, including suitable procedures to manage the risk of exposure.

Deliver asbestos awareness training where workers may be exposed. HSE guidance expects training for employees who may need to interact with asbestos containing materials, and this must continue to be provided when asbestos may be brought onto site.

Repeat non compliance leads to enforcement escalation. This prosecution followed multiple prior enforcement notices over an 11 year period covering welfare provisions and training, showing that failure to correct issues after notices can result in criminal action.

HSE Prosecution Link