THE “ruined” family of a recycling worker mauled to death in a baler three years ago have finally seen justice served after his bosses were fined a six-figure sum.

Father-of-six Simon Brook was found in the deadly device in August 2012 at the Yorkshire mill where he worked.

His partially severed legs were amputated by a doctor at the scene before he was carted to hospital, where he died two days later.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors concluded he had fallen into the baler when attempting to clear a blockage.

But they blamed bosses for not sufficiently guarding the dangerous parts of the machine, which automatically turned on after Mr Brook’s fall.
HSE inspector Andrea Jones described the tragedy as “an entirely foreseeable accident which resulted in fatal consequences.”

Bradford Crown Court heard horror stories of workers risking their own lives almost every day when clearing routine blockages.

On some occasions they were expected to jump on top of piles of cardboard inside the machine’s hopper. At other times they stood on top of the baler’s conveyer belt and leant over the side to poke about with sticks.

Ms Jones said bosses had repeatedly failed to supervise workers’ use of unsafe practices in maintaining the baler.

“The risks of clearing blockages at baling machines are well known in the manufacturing industries, particularly in waste recycling industries,” she added.

“Adequate guarding of dangerous moving parts and the provision of safe systems of work including isolating and locking-off machinery are the basic principles for protecting employees.”

The mill’s owners, Gwynn Davies-McTiffin Ltd, were fined £80,000 plus costs of £40,000 after they pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation.

Mr Brook’s widow Diane said the loss of her husband had “ruined” her life and those of her children.

“Simon was my best friend, my husband and our children have lost a wonderful father,” she said.

“We have lost everything. Every aspect of my life has been affected.

“Simon lost his life but I have lost my life too. We did everything together. It feels like my lights have been turned off.”

conradlandin@peoples-press.com