Jack Moody Landscaping and Civil Engineering Limited has been fined £125,000 after one of its employees sustained life-changing injuries when struck by a reversing vehicle. The incident, which occurred on 22 September 2017 at the company’s site in Wolverhampton, led to a comprehensive investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a subsequent prosecution, with sentencing concluded on 15 June 2026.
Reversing flatbed truck struck employee due to safety failures
The 58-year-old employee suffered severe head injuries, permanent damage to his eyesight, and significant mental and psychological trauma after a visiting flatbed truck reversed into him. He was walking across the company’s Hollybush Farm site on Warstone Road when the collision took place. The company was also ordered to pay an additional £150,000 in costs, highlighting the serious consequences of workplace safety breaches.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive uncovered critical failings in the organisation of the workplace. Investigators determined that the site was not set up to allow pedestrians and vehicles to operate safely and separately. Crucially, there were no clearly demarcated pedestrian routes, meaning workers on foot were not adequately protected from moving machinery. Furthermore, the investigation revealed an absence of clear instructions for drivers regarding safe vehicle manoeuvring, and insufficient arrangements to ensure that vehicles could reverse without posing a risk to those on foot. These systemic failures directly contributed to the employee’s severe and lasting injuries.
Workplace transport incidents, particularly those involving reversing vehicles, remain a significant concern for health and safety regulators. Statistics indicate that nearly a quarter of all fatal injuries involving workplace transport occur during reversing manoeuvres. Beyond the tragic human cost, such accidents can also lead to substantial financial losses through damage to vehicles, equipment, and premises, even when no injury occurs. The HSE consistently advises businesses to implement measures that eliminate the need for reversing wherever possible, such as establishing one-way systems or drive-through loading and unloading bays. Where reversing is unavoidable, routes should be meticulously planned to minimise the necessity for such manoeuvres and ensure maximum safety.
Jack Moody Landscaping and Civil Engineering Limited, based at Hollybush Farm, Warstone Road, Shareshill, Wolverhampton, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The verdict followed a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in November 2025, with the sentencing hearing taking place at the same court on 15 June 2026. The substantial fine and costs reflect the gravity of the company’s failure to protect its workforce.
Speaking after the sentencing, HSE Principal Inspector Laura Royales emphasised the preventability of the incident. She stated that it was entirely avoidable, stemming from the company’s failure to implement straightforward measures designed to keep vehicles and pedestrians separated. Inspector Royales highlighted that workplace transport incidents are among the most frequent causes of fatal injuries within the sector, noting that it was fortunate this particular incident did not prove fatal. She concluded by stressing the fundamental responsibility of all employers to ensure their workplaces are properly organised and managed to safeguard their employees.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre
