Professional negligence leads to worker's death
One of Britain's and Ireland's largest wood products suppliers has been fined £50 000 after professional negligence led to a worker's death.
In 2006, the victim was crushed inside a machine he was repairing when his supervisor restarted it. The man was fixing a broken chain inside the machine.
The company was fined at Omagh Crown Court and was also ordered to pay costs for breach of health and safety laws.
Last year, the supervisor admitted a charge related to the worker's death. He had originally been accused of manslaughter but he admitted failing to take reasonable care.
It was also found that safety devices that were put in place to stop the machine being turned on in such a circumstance had been removed.
The case was brought by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
After the hearing, the investigating inspector with HSENI said: "It is vital that all companies properly identify and address hazards within the workplace, and implement systems to minimise and control risks.
"These systems need to be communicated to the workforce, implemented, maintained, and updated, when necessary."
Updated on 01/01/2010