Home / Real cases / PPS Metal Recycling Ltd

PHW · Waste and recycling · 2026-09-01

PPS Metal Recycling Ltd fined £40,000 after members of the public were struck by falling scrap metal from an unstable stockpile

Scunthorpe · Grimsby Magistrates' Court

What happened

A father and son unloading scrap metal were struck by falling metal pieces when a 360-degree excavator with a grab attachment removed material from an unstable nearby stockpile. This followed an earlier near miss when the same excavator's rotating cab struck a member of the public's vehicle.

Injuries: hospitalised, one sustained a broken leg

The breach

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £40,000
  • Costs: £6,181
HSE inspector

“These two members of the public were fortunate not to have been even more seriously injured or killed. This incident was entirely avoidable.”

What would have prevented it

Excavator work near members of the public must keep pedestrians and unstable stockpiles well clear of the machine's working radius.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Skip wagons reverse across the yard. Pickers are on foot. Could you show who is trained, on the day?

View →
Safety pack

Working at height

View →
Safety pack

Vehicle marshal (banksman and reversing)

View →
Machine

Mini digger and 360 excavator training

View →
Quiz

Who is allowed to run the plant on your site, and where is it written down?

View →

Source: HSE press release, Scrap yard fined after father and son injured by collapsing metal pile