“This accident took away my freedom”

A vehicle recovery company has been fined after an employee was crushed beneath a reversing recovery truck, sustaining serious injuries that have permanently affected his mobility and independence.

On 13 June 2025, Simon Pedder was carrying out routine yard duties at Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) Limited, based at Blackworth Industrial Estate in Highworth, when he was struck and crushed beneath a reversing company vehicle.

The incident resulted in devastating injuries, including fractures to both legs and one arm, a punctured lung and a fractured rib. Mr Pedder was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment and underwent multiple operations, including extensive reconstructive surgery and skin grafts to his legs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified significant failings in the company's management of workplace transport risks. In particular, the company had failed to implement a suitable traffic management system to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians around the site. Adequate precautions to control the risks associated with reversing vehicles had also not been established.

The consequences of inadequate workplace transport arrangements

More than 10 months after the incident, Mr Pedder continues to experience the life-changing consequences of his injuries. He remains unable to return to work and relies on a combination of crutches, a walking frame and a wheelchair to maintain some level of mobility.

His injuries have also significantly affected his ability to undertake everyday activities, with regular care visits now required to assist with basic personal tasks. He has been advised that he is likely to require walking aids for the remainder of his life.

Describing the impact of the incident, Mr Pedder explained how his independence, social life and general wellbeing have been severely affected:

"I used to be a very sociable person, the life of the party, both in work and with friends; this has been taken away from me as now I spend my days sitting at home by myself."

He also highlighted the wider impact on his family, with his wife having to reduce her working hours to provide care and their home requiring significant adaptations to accommodate his needs.

Reflecting on the incident, Mr Pedder said:

"This accident took away my freedom."

Managing the risks associated with reversing vehicles

The HSE investigation highlighted the company's failure to adequately manage the risks associated with workplace transport, particularly the movement and reversing of vehicles in areas where pedestrians were present.

Vehicle movements within workplaces present a significant risk of serious injury and fatality. Reversing vehicles are particularly hazardous due to restricted driver visibility, blind spots and the potential for pedestrians to enter the vehicle's operating area.

Employers have a responsibility to assess these risks and implement suitable and sufficient control measures to prevent collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.

Effective workplace transport management should consider the layout of the site, vehicle movements, pedestrian access routes and the activities being undertaken. Wherever reasonably practicable, the need for reversing should be eliminated through effective site design and traffic management arrangements.

Where reversing cannot be avoided, suitable control measures should be implemented. These may include:

• One-way traffic systems: Organising vehicle movements to minimise or eliminate the need for reversing.

• Segregation: Providing clearly defined pedestrian walkways, physical barriers and designated crossing points to separate people from moving vehicles.

• Reversing areas: Establishing designated reversing zones that are kept clear of pedestrians and other obstructions.

• Vehicle safety systems: Ensuring suitable visibility aids, such as reversing cameras, sensors and audible warning devices, are fitted and maintained where appropriate.

• Driver visibility: Assessing blind spots and ensuring drivers have adequate visibility when manoeuvring vehicles.

• Safe systems of work: Establishing clear procedures for vehicle movements, including the use of trained banksmen where necessary.

  
  

Importantly, employers should not rely solely on reversing alarms or driver awareness to prevent incidents. The primary objective should always be to eliminate vehicle-pedestrian interaction wherever reasonably practicable, with additional safeguards implemented to control any remaining risks.

Prosecution and sentencing

Cotswold Vehicle Recovery (Swindon) Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay £7,276 in costs at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 29 October 2026.

HSE Inspector Laura Artosi commented that almost 25% of fatal workplace transport accidents in Great Britain occur while a vehicle is reversing, highlighting the importance of employers implementing effective measures to manage this well-established risk.

She stated that the company's lack of suitable traffic management arrangements had contributed to an incident that had deprived Mr Pedder of much of his independence and would have a lasting impact on his life.

LESH provides tips for employers:

This prosecution serves as a stark reminder that workplace transport risks must be properly assessed, managed and controlled. Reversing vehicles should never be considered a routine activity that can be left to driver judgement alone.

Employers operating vehicle yards, industrial premises, distribution centres, warehouses and manufacturing facilities should review their existing traffic management arrangements to ensure that pedestrians and vehicles can move around their premises safely.

A suitable workplace transport risk assessment should identify vehicle movements, pedestrian routes, reversing requirements, blind spots and potential areas of conflict. The findings must then be translated into practical control measures that are implemented, communicated and monitored.

The consequences of failing to manage these risks extend far beyond financial penalties and enforcement action. As this case demonstrates, a failure to implement basic workplace transport controls can fundamentally change someone's life and have devastating consequences for their family.

LESH Consulting Ltd are experts in industrial H&S, we support SME's to large global blue chip companies with their compliance.