Deco-Pak Director Jailed After Employee’s Death from Crushing Incident
Michael Hall, a former director of Deco-Pak, has been sentenced to prison following the death of an employee who was tragically crushed by a machine at the company’s site. Hall, aged 66, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and failing to meet the legal duties of an employer after a re-trial that concluded in April.
The incident, which occurred on Good Friday in 2017, resulted in the death of Andrew Tibbot, a 48-year-old maintenance engineer who had only been with the company for six weeks. He sustained catastrophic crush injuries after being trapped by a machine at the garden landscaping specialist’s facility in Hipperholme, West Yorkshire.
During the trial, it was revealed that Hall had failed to ensure that proper safety measures were in place, which led to the fatal incident. This lack of precaution resulted in Deco-Pak Limited being fined £700,000, along with an additional £90,000 in court costs.
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This case underscores the crucial responsibility that business owners and directors have in safeguarding their employees, especially in high-risk environments. The ruling demonstrates the severe legal consequences of neglecting workplace safety, highlighting the importance of regular and thorough risk assessments and safety protocols to protect workers.
CQMS specialises in ensuring your business meets the highest health and safety standards to prevent tragic incidents like the one at Deco-Pak. Our expert team provides comprehensive risk assessments, safety audits, and tailored safety solutions to keep your workplace compliant and your employees safe.
