Grocery Supplier Fined After Worker Killed by Reversing HGV

A grocery wholesaler has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £1 million following an accident in which a worker was killed by a reversing HGV.

The man and a colleague were making a delivery to a store when the accident happened. He was acting as a banksman…

Aug 11, 2025

A grocery wholesaler has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £1 million following an accident in which a worker was killed by a reversing HGV.

The man and a colleague were making a delivery to a store when the accident happened. He was acting as a banksman while his colleague was reversing the HGV into the store’s unloading area. He became trapped between the HGV and a wall, sustaining fatal crush injuries.

An investigation by the HSE found that the wholesaler had failed to implement a safe system of work for vehicle movements. It had also failed to adequately assess the risks involved or provide sufficient training for employees acting as banksmen.

The wholesaler pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £1 million and ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £11,950.

Work From Home Dispute Raises Key Issue for the Modern Workplace

As the employment landscape continues to shift in the post-pandemic era, employees and employers can find themselves at odds when it comes to expectations of flexible and remote working. The issue was brought to light at Employment Tribunal (ET) proceedings centred on a woman’s request to work from home. The woman had been employed by a financial regulator since 2005. Her initial contract indicated that her normal place of work would be at a physical office location. This changed in early 2020…

Adjusted Right to Work Checks Extended

The government has announced that the end date for the temporary adjusted checks has now been deferred to 5 April 2022. The following temporary changes were made on 30 March 2020 and now remain in place until 5 April 2022: checks can currently be carried out over video callsjob applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originalsemployers should use the Home Office Employer Checking Service if a…

Victim of Anti-English Workplace Abuse Receives Substantial Damages

A certain amount of workplace banter may be tolerated, but every sensible employer is aware that it may be the thin end of a wedge leading to unlawful discrimination. In a case on point, an English lorry driver who suffered wounding verbal abuse after taking a job north of the border was awarded substantial compensation. The man’s line manager did not like him and referred to him in demeaning and foul-mouthed terms by reference to his nationality. During a football tournament, he was informed…