Paul Coulson, 56, died after a colleague started a conveyor without realising he had climbed inside.

He was crushed by a pallet of timber that weighed around three tonnes.

The incident, on 22nd May 2024, occurred when Coulson was trying to remove plastic packaging from the pallet.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that despite warning signage at the facility, CCTV footage showed operatives regularly entering the machinery in the weeks before the accident.

Huws Gray Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

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The company was fined £2.2m and ordered to pay full costs of £9,929 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 26th March 2026.

“This was a staggering failure that has cost a man his life and robbed a family of their loved one, and the scale of the fine handed down reflects the gravity of this case,” said Joanne Williams, HSE inspector.

“All companies, regardless of their size, must follow the hierarchy of control for guarding dangerous parts within work equipment.

“Had Huws Gray Ltd taken robust action when they became aware of the problem, Paul Coulson would be alive today.”

The case was taken by HSE Lawyer Edward Parton supported by paralegal, Mariea Slater.