It is reported that a County Durham car parts firm has been fined GBP 100,000 after a worker was crushed to death while clearing a production line jam.

Mr Paul Clark died at the ThyssenKrupp Tallent plant, in Newton Aycliffe, in July 2009.

The firm pleaded guilty to contravening health and safety regulations and was also ordered to pay GBP 44,000 costs at Durham Crown Court.

Mr Clark's wife Ms Carole said that his death had left a big void in their lives.

The Health and Safety Executive said that its investigation found a pneumatically powered carriage had jammed.

Mr Clark was attempting to clear the jam and had opened interlocked safety gates.

The HSE said that isolated the equipment from the electricity supply but did not isolate and make safe the pneumatic power element of the machine. It said while Mr Clark was working on the equipment the carriage suddenly moved and trapped him.

HSE inspector Mr Martin Baillie said Mr Clark's death could have been avoided.

Ms Clark said the family agreed his death was avoidable. She said her husband was working alone and his inquest had heard it was possible his death could have been avoided if he had been extricated earlier.

Ms Clark said she hoped companies would introduce measures to prevent something similar from happening. She added that "We are pleased to now be able to draw a line under this process and try to rebuild our lives. The final word has to be for Paul, who we miss so much. He leaves such a big void in our lives. He led such a full life but had so much more to live for."

(Sourced from www.bbc.co.uk)