Two firms fined after racking collapse killed two workers

• Two men killed following an incident at an industrial estate near Bradford.
• Lee Horton, 58 from Ilkley and Daron Pickstock, 43 from Chorley died.
• HSE investigation found serious failures in risk assessment and safe systems of work.

Two companies have been fined following an incident which resulted in the deaths of two workers in West Yorkshire.

Lee Horton, 58, and Daron Pickstock, 43, were killed when an industrial racking system collapsed as it was being tested at Castefields Industrial Estate in Bingley on 29 October 2020.

The racking was being tested at a site belonging to Space Productiv Ltd, of which Mr Horton, from Ilkley, was the managing director. Mr Pickstock, who was from Chorley, was self-employed and working for a company called Collins Site Services.

The racking system was being loaded with test weights, some of which weighed up to two tonnes, when the structure began to collapse. The two men had been working from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) next to the racking structure as it was being loaded.

However, as the structure collapsed, 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.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that both companies failed to adequately assess the risks arising from the work being undertaken and failed to put in place a safe system of work to ensure the health and safety of those involved.

HSE found that the planned and implemented systems of work were unsafe. Workers were positioned within the collapse zone of the racking during testing, placing them at serious risk should the structure fail.

Space Productiv Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. 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 etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £10,292 in costs at Leeds Crown Court on 11 February 2026.

Family tributes

Emma Horton, daughter of Lee Horton, said:

“Lee was more than just a father to Josh and I; he was our best friend, therapist, career advisor and confidant. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had such a special and unique bond with him, but that only makes the void he’s left behind feel all the more immense.

“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.

“My dad liked the best quality of things. He taught me how to fix things and adapt things to make them work. He was constantly mending something, and I miss that guidance on what I could do better when we spent time together.

“We shared a love of music and the benefits it can have in your life. We talked openly about life and now that’s gone. No one can replace my dad.”

HSE Inspector Mark Slater said:

“All work activities where there is a risk to health and safety should be properly planned and risk assessed, and safe systems of work must be followed.

“Where risks cannot be eliminated, it is vital that workers are kept out of danger zones to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

“In this case, inadequate planning and unsafe systems of work exposed workers to an unacceptable level of risk. This was a wholly avoidable incident.”

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Daniel Poole and paralegal officer Sarah Zara Salman.

 

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Relevant guidance can be found here Managing for health and safety
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.