A company that operates several household waste and recycling centres in Wales has been fined £100,000 for “failing to protect workers and members of the public”.
Sundorne Products (Llanidloes) Limited pleaded guilty to the failures identified at Llandrindod Wells Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Powys.
The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,077 at a hearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court on 28 January 2025.
The charges were brought after an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 6 October 2022 identified a risk of serious injury to both workers and the public.
The inspector took action to stop the use of three waste compactor machines due to there being unrestricted access to the controls and to dangerous parts of the machines.
The HSE said further enforcement action was taken to secure improvements in the management arrangements and improved control measures.
Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.
A subsequent HSE investigation found that the risks associated with the compactors operation had not been “adequately assessed” and there was no clear instruction or training provided to workers.
The investigation also found there was no recognised safe method of clearing blockages within the machines’ compaction chambers.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Joe Boast said: “Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction and training to their workers in the safe system of working.
“The charges extend to failings in respect of risks to the public. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
