Public Injured When Scrap Metal Pile Collapsed

Brief Summary

Two people were injured unloading scrap metal after a stockpile collapsed while a grab equipped excavator worked close by. The employer failed to segregate members of the public from moving plant and did not control risks from unstable stockpiles. The case shows the need for clear traffic management and prompt action after near misses.

What Was The Incident?

On 6 February 2025 a father and son were unloading scrap metal at a recycling site when a 360 degree excavator with a grab attachment was operating nearby. As the machine removed material from a large stockpile a portion of the pile collapsed and heavy pieces fell onto them. Both were taken to hospital and one person sustained a broken leg. HSE found the excavator had been working in close proximity to members of the public for around 20 minutes before the collapse. The employer had not put suitable controls in place to prevent public exposure to moving machinery and to manage the hazard from unstable stockpiles. The event followed a near miss on 27 January 2025 when the rotating cab of the same excavator struck the side of a member of the public's vehicle while they were unloading.

What Was The Outcome?

The employer pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of£6,181. Inspectors served a prohibition notice preventing the excavator from operating close to pedestrians. The employer introduced a separate public unloading area, installed signage, implemented supervised unloading, and developed a traffic management plan with barriered walkways.

Key Points To Consider

Segregate pedestrians from plant. Review site layout and traffic management to ensure public unloading takes place in a separate, clearly marked and barriered area with supervised controls and visible signage to prevent people being exposed to moving machinery.

Manage stockpile stability. Assess the stability of scrap and waste piles, set safe working distances for plant operations, and stop mechanical handling near public or pedestrian routes until the pile is made safe or access is controlled.

Act on near misses immediately. Treat any contact or near miss involving plant and the public as a serious warning: carry out a prompt investigation, update risk assessments and operating controls, restrict machine movements if needed and confirm corrective actions are in place before normal activity resumes.

HSE Prosecution Link