Two firms fined following fatal racking system collapse

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday how Lee Horton, 58 from Ilkley and Daron Pickstock, 43, were testing an industrial racking system at a site belonging to Space Productiv Ltd which specialises in warehouse products, on 29 October 2020.

Mr Horton, from Ilkley, was the managing director of Space Productiv. Mr Pickstock, who was from Chorley, was self-employed and working for a company called Collins Site Services.

The two men were working from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) next to the racking structure, which they were helping to load with test weights, some of which weighed up to two tonnes.

Space Productiv's Bingley test site. Image: Google Maps

The structure began to collapse. As this happened, it struck the MEWP, causing it to overturn while both men were inside. Mr Horton and Mr Pickstock sustained fatal injuries and died shortly afterwards.

HSE’s investigation revealed three critical failures by the firms:

•  Inadequate Risk Assessment: The company failed to properly identify the "collapse zone" – the area where the structure would fall if it failed – and allowed workers to remain within it.

•  Unsafe Positioning: Both men were working from the MEWP directly adjacent to the racking while it was being loaded with heavy weights.

•  Systemic Planning Failures: HSE found that the planned system of work was fundamentally flawed, exposing workers to an “unacceptable level of risk” that could have been mitigated with proper exclusion zones. Investigating HSE Inspector Mark Slater said: “This was a wholly avoidable incident.”

Children of the two workers paid tribute to their parents after the hearing. Emma Horton, daughter of Lee Horton, said: “There are no words that can fully capture the magnitude of our loss. His humour, warmth and generosity are deeply missed by all who knew him.”

Jack Stileman, son of Daron Pickstock, said: “My dad was a hard worker and content in his life. He didn’t like unnecessary drama or unkindness, and he was grateful for what he had."

“My future children do not get the chance to have a grandfather. I feel heartbroken for them that the circumstances surrounding my dad’s death happened at work and could very possibly have been avoided," he continued to say.

Space Productiv Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £97,500 and ordered to pay £17,377 in costs at Leeds Crown Court on 11 February 2026.

Collins Site Services Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £10,292 in costs at Leeds Crown Court on 11 February 2026.