Published Friday, 26 October 2012
Gallaher Ltd was fined after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches. (© UTV)
Trevor Allen was carrying out repair work on a robotic palletiser at the Gallaher Ltd factory in Lisnafillan when he was caught under an unsupported robotic arm in July last year.
Mr Allen's head and shoulders were trapped on top of a scaffold bar after the machinery went into freefall. He died four days later from his injuries.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) investigation found that neither Mr Allen nor the other employee had been trained to carry out the work they were asked to do.
Gallaher Ltd previously pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation and was fined at Antrim Crown Court on Friday.
After the hearing Louis Burns, head of HSENI's Major Investigation Team said: "This tragic incident was completely and easily avoidable.
"Careful planning and extreme care must be taken at all times to ensure that the correct people and equipment and systems of work are provided and used during repair and maintenance work.
"It wasn't on this occasion and a life was needlessly lost as a result," he added.