A wood recycling company has been fined £22,500 and agreed to pay costs of £44,000 after its director Thomas Brooke was killed in a collision with a JCB wheel loader.
The father-of-one was working for the family company John Brooke (Timber Treatments) Limited in Nottingham when he was struck by a JCB wheel loader
The JCB’s bucket was raised while it was operating in the yard and as the shovel moved forward, it collided with Mr Brooke, who died from his injuries.
John Brooke (Timber Treatments) Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 17 (1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Act 1992 at Nottingham Crown Court.
His wife, Jessica Brooke described Thomas Brooke as a kind and caring person who was dedicated to his family and was loved by everyone who knew him.
In a statement, she said: “Our hearts are broken. The pain and suffering of his loss have been immense, and no words can describe the impact that his loss has had; both Rupert and I have been forever changed.
“We were partners in crime, soulmates and best friends and together took on whatever challenges life threw in our direction.”
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that John Brooke (Timber Treatments) Limited did not properly organise its workplace to keep pedestrians safe.
There were no control measures, such as physical barriers, to prevent pedestrians from accessing areas where loading shovels, lorries, forklift trucks, and 360 grabs operated.
The HSE said its investigation also found the wood recycler failed to properly assess the risks of operating machinery with reduced visibility and did not properly train, instruct and monitor employees.
Speaking after the sentencing, HSE inspector Lindsay Bentley said: “This has been a very difficult case for all concerned.
“However, those in control of work have a responsibility to implement safe methods of working. Had simple measures been taken, this tragedy could have been prevented.”
