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

Brief Summary

HSE found multiple health and safety failures at a waste and recycling site, including skips stacked three high in areas used by workers and weak control of vehicle and pedestrian movement. The company was prosecuted, pleaded guilty, and was fined with costs ordered.

What Was The Incident?

On inspection in August 2022, HSE found vehicles and loading activities being driven around the site, but pedestrians were not effectively separated from vehicle routes. The pedestrian entrance was chained and padlocked, forcing pedestrians to use the same route as lorries and other vehicles. There were no effective designated pedestrian routes or crossing points. HSE also found skips unsafely stacked. Some skips were deformed, increasing instability. In places, stacks were three high, which increased the likelihood of collapse or items falling. The skips were located in an area that workers accessed regularly, either on foot or in vehicles, meaning people were at risk if a stack fell. Although a visual traffic plan existed, it was not visible to staff or visitors and was out of date because the site configuration had changed. As a result, it did not cover key pedestrian movements, including access across the yard to toilets.

What Was The Outcome?

Following the initial concerns, HSE served improvement notices requiring action within specified timescales. HSE later found the company had previously been subject to enforcement, including prohibition notices in 2019 for stockpiling and risks of collapse. The company pleaded guilty to two offences. It was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay £16,195 in costs.

Key Points To Consider

Provide effective segregation of pedestrians and vehicles. Do not rely on informal arrangements. Ensure designated pedestrian routes and crossing points are in place and that pedestrians are not forced to use vehicle routes used by lorries and other vehicles.

Control reversing and vehicle movements with additional precautions. Where large vehicles need to reverse or operate near people, assess the risk and implement extra precautions to protect those working nearby, beyond a basic traffic plan.

Keep traffic and site management information current and visible. A traffic plan must be both accessible and accurate. If the site layout or pedestrian movements change, update the plan and ensure it is visible to staff and visitors.

Prevent falling and collapse by stacking heavy waste securely. For skips and similar loads, manage stability as a priority. Avoid deformed skips and unsafe stacking heights, and do not store them in areas where workers are routinely present on foot or in vehicles.

Treat past enforcement as a warning to improve quickly. Where previous enforcement action has identified serious risks, ensure that controls are reviewed and strengthened rather than allowing the same hazards to persist or reappear.

HSE Prosecution Link