A steel manufacturing business has been prosecuted after a worker was crushed to death against a closed door.

Thomas Panels & Profiles Limited of Southern Avenue, Leominster pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It has been fined £285,000 with more than £29,961 in costs.

Worcester Crown Court heard how Jeffery Warner, 65, died after a steel beam emerging from a machine pushed another beam and crushed him against a closed door on 27 April 2015.

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A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the machine had been in operation since 2013 and it did not have suitable safeguards to prevent the risk of crushing injuries. It was also found that the company failed to undertake an adequate risk assessment and its system of work was generally unsafe.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Tariq Khan said: "Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary safeguards, information, instruction and training to their workers.

"This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and provide the necessary safeguards."

(LM/JP)