£850,000 fine after reversing lorry kills traffic marshal

Southwark Crown Court heard how, on 22 February 2016, traffic marshals, including Mr Karadzhov, were marshalling large vehicles down a ramp into a loading bay for the BBC Worldwide Offices while the former BBC Television Centre was being redeveloped. Mr Karadzhov was struck and killed by a 26 tonne waste lorry, which was reversing down the slope into a loading bay. 

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the traffic marshals were exposed to safety risks due to a failure to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place to manage deliveries to the occupied offices while the rest of the site was being re-developed. 

Wilson James Limited of Chalkwell Lawns, London Rd, Westcliff On Sea, Essex, pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £850,000 and instructed to pay £11,750 in costs. 

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Fu Lee said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man. This death could easily have been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place.

“The dangers associated with reversing vehicles are well known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.”

A further defendant is awaiting trial on this matter.