Bed spring manufacturer Leggett & Platt Components Europe Limited has been fined after Charlie O’Dowd was injured in the incident at its Long Royd warehouse in Barnsley on 14 November 2024.

The then 20-year-old had been using a ride-on pallet truck during the installation of new automated machinery within the warehouse. However, his truck, which was unguarded, collided with a fork lift truck being driven by another employee, resulting in multiple fractures to his foot, as well as longer term nerve damage.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had made changes to its workplace transport routes to accommodate the installation works taking place. However, these changes meant that both ride-on pallet trucks and fork lift trucks were required to use the same routes, within what was a busy stock loading area. Visibility was limited and vehicle movements had increased.

The HSE investigation concluded that the company had focused on the installation of the new machinery but had failed to adequately consider the impact that significant changes to workplace transport arrangements would have on worker safety. The changes to vehicle routes had not been properly risk assessed before being implemented.

Every year, there are accidents involving transport in the workplace, some of which result in people being killed. HSE guidance explains what should be done to keep workers safe – Introduction to workplace transport safety – HSE.

Leggett & Platt Components Europe Limited, pleaded guilty to a breach of  Section 2(1) of the Health & Safey at Work etc. Act 1974 in relation to the safe use of workplace transport within the warehouse. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £3,374 at Leeds Magistrates Court on 20 October 2026.

HSE inspector Chris Parker said: “This case highlights the importance of carefully assessing the wider safety implications of any changes made within a workplace, even where those changes may be temporary.

“When workplace transport routes are altered, employers must ensure that the risks created by those changes are properly assessed and controlled before they are introduced.

“Had suitable planning and risk assessment been carried out, this incident could have been prevented.”

This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Zara Salman and advocacy undertaken by enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi.