Scapa Tapes has been fined £120,000 after a worker was crushed to death by machinery at its Houghton Regis factory. Brett Dolby, 44, died on 10 April 2018 when he became trapped in the Duffy machine during a night shift.
A colleague initially thought Mr Dolby's screams were a Pink Floyd song playing on the radio. The machine lacked a safety guard, and no instructions about a guard had been left, an inquest heard in 2019.
Scapa, which supplies adhesive tape, bought the factory in 2004 and inherited the machine. The company pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach at Luton Magistrates' Court.
David Redland of the Health and Safety Executive told the inquest: 'It was an accident waiting to happen.' He said a simple mechanical guard or optical beam could have prevented the incident. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.
Representing Scapa, Tim Green said the company was 'devastated' by the loss, adding that Mr Dolby was 'much-loved' and made a substantial contribution at work and to family life. The Houghton Regis site has since closed.
