The heartbroken widow of a man killed in a workplace accident has spoken of her devastation after a coroner ruled his death was "avoidable" and identified multiple safety failures.
Michael Tong, 36, suffered fatal injuries while working at a construction site in what should have been a routine operation. The coroner's court heard how basic safety measures were overlooked, leading to the tragic incident that claimed Michael's life.
A Preventable Tragedy
During the emotional inquest, evidence revealed several critical safety breaches that contributed to the fatal accident. The coroner highlighted specific failures in risk assessment and safety protocols that, if properly implemented, could have prevented the tragedy.
"The evidence shows this was not just an unfortunate accident," the coroner stated. "There were clear safety procedures that should have been followed, and Michael's death was entirely avoidable."
A Family's Ongoing Pain
Michael's widow described her husband as a "devoted family man" who was "loved by everyone who knew him." She spoke of the profound impact his death has had on their family and the ongoing struggle to come to terms with their loss.
"We're living with this pain every single day," she said. "Knowing that Michael's death could have been prevented makes it so much harder to bear. No family should have to go through what we're experiencing."
Safety Failings Exposed
The investigation uncovered several alarming safety shortcomings:
- Inadequate risk assessments for the specific task being performed
- Failure to implement proper safety protocols
- Lack of appropriate supervision and oversight
- Insufficient safety training for workers
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been involved in the investigation, though specific details about potential enforcement action remain confidential at this stage.
Call for Industry-Wide Changes
Safety campaigners are using this case to highlight the need for improved safety standards across the industry. They argue that too many workers are still being put at unnecessary risk due to cost-cutting and inadequate safety cultures.
"This tragic case shows why we cannot become complacent about workplace safety," said a spokesperson for a safety charity. "Every worker deserves to return home safely to their family at the end of the day."
The family has joined calls for better safety enforcement and hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
