Two firms fined after racking collapse killed two workers in Bradford
Two companies have been fined following a fatal incident at an industrial estate in Bingley, West Yorkshire, which resulted in the deaths of Lee Horton, 58, from Ilkley, and Daron Pickstock, 43, from Chorley.
Last updated 11th Feb 2026
The men were killed on 29 October 2020 when an industrial racking system collapsed while being tested at Castefields Industrial Estate.
Horton, the managing director of Space Productiv Ltd, and Pickstock, self-employed and working for Collins Site Services, were on a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) next to the racking when it fell.
The MEWP overturned, causing fatal injuries to both men.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found serious failures in risk assessment and safe systems of work.
Both companies had allowed workers to be positioned in the collapse zone during testing, putting them at serious risk.
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.
Collins Site Services Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the same Act. The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £10,292 in costs.
Family tributes:
Emma Horton, daughter of Lee Horton, said:
“Lee was more than just a father… 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… My future children do not get the chance to have a grandfather. I feel heartbroken.”
HSE Inspector Mark Slater said:
“All work activities where there is a risk to health and safety should be properly planned and risk assessed. 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.