Wolverhampton boss guilty of gross negligence after worker killed in industrial shredder
Brian Timmins will be sentenced at a later date.
A company boss who caused the death of a worker who was killed in an industrial shredder in Wolverhampton has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
David Willis, 29, fell into a shredder designed for wood and commercial waste at Timmins Waste Services (TWS) on 15 September, 2018.
Yard manager Brian Timmins had been operating the machine when it stopped abruptly. He used a JCB grapple arm to lift Mr Willis up on to the machine to clear the blockage.
But the machine, which should have been switched off while work was being carried out, was still ejecting waste. Mr Willis went into the machine and was killed.
Timmins carried on operating the shredder, meaning waste covered Mr Willis’ remains.
The next day, Timmins returned to work and helped oblivious workers load up waste which would have included Mr Willis’ remains before it was driven to a landfill site in Cannock.
Mr Willis’ mother reported him missing on the night he failed to return home from work.
It was only when his coat was found near the shredder two days later that CCTV from the previous Saturday was reviewed and it emerged he had fallen into the shredder.
Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Timmins was found guilty of manslaughter. TWS was found guilty of corporate manslaughter. Timmins and TWS have previously admitted health and safety charges.
Det Insp Jim Colclough, who lead the investigation, said: “We found major, systemic failings across TWS which meant workers were put at risk.
“Risk assessments were not done, and safe methods of working were simply not put in place.
“Timmins’ failure to lock off the shredder, and his decision to put Mr Willis in a position of danger, directly caused this tragedy.
“We spent many weeks searching the site at Cannock, but only found part of a tabard which may have belonged to David.
“The fact that we could not recover David has added to the anguish caused to his family, and denied them the chance to say goodbye to him with dignity.”
Mr Willis’ family said today: “David’s death is as painful for us now as it was five years ago. David has missed out on so many treasured family moments, including the birth of his niece and the growing up of his nephew, who still treats David as his superhero in the sky.”
Sentencing will take place on a later date.