Robert Morris, 48, was carrying out resurfacing work on Pemberton Road in Haringey on 30 May 2022 when he was fatally struck by a vehicle.
A joint investigation was launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Metropolitan Police following the incident.
Evidence gathered by the police was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), resulting in a separate prosecution in which the driver received a suspended prison sentence. Reports ContractJournal
The HSE investigation revealed multiple safety failings at the site. There was no effective segregation between workers and moving vehicles, and a banksman was not in place when the road sweeper reversed and struck Mr Morris.
Inspectors found that the traffic management arrangements were inadequate and unsafe, exposing workers and the public to the risk of serious injury or death.
Marlborough Highways Limited, based in Chelmsford, admitted breaching health and safety regulations at City of London Magistrates’ Court and was fined £1 million, with full prosecution costs of £6,028.
In a separate case brought by the CPS, company employee Jamie Smith was charged with causing death by careless driving. He pleaded guilty and, in February 2024 at Wood Green Crown Court, received a six-month custodial sentence suspended for two years, along with a one-year driving disqualification.
HSE principal inspector James Goldfinch said: “Our thoughts are with Robert’s family, described by his widow as ‘the centre of our world’. She says his children are ‘sad and angry and cheated of so much of their future’.
“Robert was entitled to return home safely from work to his family but the lack of segregation of vehicles and pedestrians by Marlborough Highways Limited meant he did not.
“This was a case where appropriate controls had been identified but were not being implemented on site.”
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