A vehicle recovery and repair company has been sentenced after a new worker suffered fatal crush injuries during maintenance work, only hours after he started his new job.
Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard how in November 2014, the employee was fatally injured when a rigid vehicle suddenly fell from an inadequate axle support prop at Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that a cable reel drum jack was used to support the vehicle, which was not an appropriate piece of equipment for the task being undertaken.
Now dissolved, Albert Road Recovery and Repair Limited of Warley Hill Business Park, Brentwood, Essex, was found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £20,000, the highest amount available to this court.
HSE inspector John Glynn commented on how the incident had led to the tragic death of an employee within hours of him starting his new job, and that it was "completely avoidable".
"Not only did the company fail to adequately induct the new starter into their business, it failed to adequately instruct and supervise him on his first day and provided him with completely unsuitable tools and equipment. Had the company considered the risks properly, they would have had safe systems of work and approved vehicle repair equipment in place".
