In July 2025, Bestway Northern Limited, a well-known grocery wholesaler was fined £1 million after the death of 53-year-old father of three, Lee Warburton, who was struck and fatally injured by a reversing Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) during a delivery in Manchester. The company had failed to provide a safe system of work, proper training and adequate risk assessments.
How it happened
On 19 February 2019, Lee Warburton was directing a colleague while a HGV reversed during a delivery in Central Manchester. In his role as a banksman, was responsible for guiding the driver as the vehicle manoeuvred.
During the process, Mr Warburton became trapped between the HGV and a wall. He suffered severe crush injuries which proved fatal. The incident occurred during what should have been a routine task, however immediately raised questions about how vehicle movements were being managed on site.
The Investigation and findings:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation into the incident. It was found that Bestway Northern Limited did not have an established safe system of work for deliveries and unloading. Risk assessment relating to vehicle reversing were either insufficient or not carried out.
The investigation also identified that staff members including those assigned as banksmen, had not been given appropriate training to carry out their role safely. This meant that workers were exposed to significant risks during routine operations.
Reversing vehicles are widely recognised as a workplace safety hazards. HSE figures show that nearly a quarter of all deaths involving workplace transport occur during reversing. Many of these incidents can be prevented by simple measures such as physical barriers, segregated pedestrian walkways or reversing aids such as cameras and alarms. In this case, these precautions were not in place.
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Legal Consequences:
This case was heard at Manchester Magistrates Court on 18 July 2025, Bestway Northern Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees while at work.
The Court imposed a fine of £1 million on the company. In addition, they were ordered to pay £11,950.07 in prosecuted costs.
The scale of the fine reflects the seriousness of the breach, as well as the expectation that businesses must take robust steps to control well-known risks associated with workplace transport.
HSE’s Statement:
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jane Carroll said:
“The company had failed to implement a safe system of work for its delivery and unloading activities, thereby exposing employees and others to the risk of being struck or caught by workplace vehicles. Nearly a quarter of all deaths involving workplace transport occur during reversing, most of which can be avoided by taking simple precautions. All work settings involving vehicles need to consider the risks arising from their use and implement adequate measures to ensure the safety of those involved in these activities.”
Safety implications and lessons learned:
This case demonstrates how essential it is for businesses to responsibly manage the risks associated with vehicle movements. The lessons to take forward includes:
- Risk Assessment: Employers must ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out, specifically addressing reversing manoeuvres and unloading tasks. These should not be generic but tailored to the actual work environment.
- Safe Systems of Work: Documented and enforced procedures are required for vehicle operations. These should include clear roles, designated areas for reversing, and traffic management systems.
- Training: Drivers, banksmen, and all employees involved in vehicle movement must receive adequate training. Competence in safe working practices should be demonstrated and regularly refreshed.
- Physical Controls: Engineering solutions such as reversing alarms, CCTV cameras, pedestrian barriers, and segregated walkways can significantly reduce risks.
- Monitoring and Review: Safety systems should be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective and are being consistently followed.
Summary:
The fatal incident involving Bestway Northern Limited illustrates the severe consequences of failing to manage workplace transport risks. The company’s lack of risk assessment, training, and a safe system of work led to a fatality that could have been prevented and resulted in a fine of 1£ million.
For businesses, this serves as a reminder that risks linked to vehicle reversing are well known and that practical steps can and must be taken to manage them. Implementing effective risk assessments, safe systems and proper training are not optional, but are legal requirements that protect both employees and organisations.
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