On 5 March 2007, a 61-year-old woman lost her life after a refuse vehicle reversed into her and knocked her down.

The lorry had been reversing up Cranbourne Street, Brighton when the incident took place. Mrs Anne Smith died of her injuries shortly afterwards.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Team Waste (Southern) Ltd, the waste company responsible for the fatality and fined it £250,000.

The HSE's investigation found that the driver had failed to comply with Team Waste's operating procedure and had chosen to reverse without the guidance of a reversing assistant. The reversing siren had also been switched off, and the CCTV camera at the rear of the vehicle was defective resulting in limited visibility for the driver.

The company was fined £250,000 as well as costs of £50,000.

HSE inspector Sharon Humphrey said:

"Team Waste (Southern) Ltd failed to ensure the safe collection of rubbish. As a result of its failure an innocent woman has died unnecessarily. This has had devastating consequences for her family.

"Waste collection on public streets can be a high-risk activity if not properly planned. The law requires employers to assess the risks to its employees and members of the public.

"This incident could have been prevented had simple, low cost and readily available precautions been put in place. Detailed guidance, which is freely available from HSE outlines the requirements of the law and provides advice on the practical measures to take.

"The HSE takes failure to comply with these provisions seriously and will not hesitate to take action."

Legal executive in the personal injury department of Access Legal from Shoosmiths, Veronica Male said:

"This accident was a tragedy and could have been avoided had the driver asked for assistance when reversing and the vehicle sufficiently maintained.

"This accident clearly shows the risks posed by large vehicles to members of the public when safety procedures are not followed."

Further details of the HSE prosecution can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-se-2604.htm

For more personal injury advice, please visit our personal injury solicitors page.

Veronica Male is a legal executive in the personal injury team and has more than 12 years of personal injury experience.

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