Two firms were ordered to pay out more than £600,000 after two workers were dragged to their deaths at the Sonae woodchip factory in Kirkby .
James Bibby, 25, and Thomas Elmer, 27, died when a conveyor belt at the plant began moving while they were carrying out maintenance work in December 2010.
Prosecutors said Sonae Industria and Metso Paper Limited – the contractor the men worked for – were responsible for “numerous, wide-ranging and systemic” safety failings.
Sonae and Metso – now known as Valmet Limited – appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting breaking health and safety laws.
Judge Graham Morrow, QC, fined Sonae £220,000 and told the company to pay £107,000 towards court costs.
The judge fined Valmet Limited £190,000 and ordered the firm to also pay a £107,000 contribution towards court costs.
The two men, who were both from Rossendale in Lancashire, died as a result of multiple injuries.
The pair were chosen to replace a worn section of machinery, which required working at height above the conveyor belt.
The conveyor was meant to have been isolated from its power source, but this did not happen.
James Bibby, left, who died at Sonae, with brother Jason.
Nigel Lawrence, QC, prosecuting, said there were “systemic” safety failures at Sonae and that “no safe system of work” was in place.
No risk assessment was completed by Sonae or Metso for the two men before they carried out the maintenance work.
The court heard a general risk assessment, dated October 2008, “was neither suitable nor sufficient”.
Control measures, called ‘permits to work’, were left completely blank before being issued to contractors on the day.
Mr Lawrence said the “position on the ground was one of utter confusion” over what type of isolation was needed, and who should carry it out.
Stuart Denney, defending Sonae, was accompanied in court by Brian Heyes, a former finance boss who is now the company’s chief executive.
Mr Denney said: “We wish to offer a heartfelt apology for what took place and our part in it. It can’t do more than scratch the surface of the hole that has been left, but it is sincere and genuine.”
He said the firm had carried out a general risk assessment and method statements for the job.
Mr Bibby’s mum Beverley told the court : “I don’t think me and his younger brother Jason will ever get over James’ death.
Thomas Elmer, who died at Sonae, with partner Rachel Sutcliffe.
“No mother should have to feel like this every day.”
Mr Elmer’s dad David said: “Everyone loved and respected him and his death was a huge shock to the community.”
His younger sister Rossana Hesketh added: “The thing I miss most of all is when he put his arms around me and made me feel like the world was okay.”
Production at the plant was stopped in 2012 by its Portuguese owners, with the loss of more than 200 jobs.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/