Sileby: Mum's grief after teen worker crushed to death

Ben Spencer's mother said his bedroom is still the same as the last day he went to work

A grieving mum held her son's hand as he lay dying at work after he was crushed between a heavy goods vehicle and a wall.

Ben Spencer's mum Tracy Spencer spoke as Sunrise Poultry Farms Ltd, in Leicestershire, was fined £233,000 over a health and safety offence.

She said her "life revolved around Ben", who was her only child, "because it has always been just me and him".

Mr Spencer, 19, died on 12 April 2021 after working there for two weeks.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the heavy goods vehicle was attempting a complex manoeuvre towards a narrow thoroughfare as Mr Spencer walked towards it.

An investigation by HSE found that measures in place for segregating pedestrians and moving vehicles were "wholly inadequate".

Sunrise Poultry Farms, of Seagrave Road, Sileby, admitted breaching the Workplace Regulations 1992, where "it did not organise the workplace traffic routes, as far as is reasonably practicable, in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles circulate in a safe manner".

HSE inspector Alex Nayar said Mr Spencer's death could have "easily been prevented"

His mother said the job with Sunrise Poultry Farms was her son's "first real job" and "with it came a conversation about the future, his own home, learning to drive and saving".

His bedroom remains the same as the last day he went to work.

"I can't bring myself to make the bed and have tied the door shut so the dog can't go in there," Ms Spencer said.

"I have tried to make myself go in there, but I just can't walk across the threshold.

"I cry when I leave the house and I cry when I get back, because he's not here. I hear noises and look up expecting to see Ben coming round the back".

Speaking after the hearing, HSE enforcement lawyer Andy Siddall said: "Accidents like this simply shouldn't happen and a mother shouldn't have to hold the hand of her son as he lies dying in the workplace.

"So please check your workplace transport risk assessments, think carefully, and ensure that everybody goes home safely."

HSE inspector Alex Nayar said: "Our thoughts today are with Ben's family and friends.

"He was at the start of his working life. He should have returned home safely to them at the end of his working day, but because of the failings of Sunrise Poultry Farms Limited, he did not.

"Ben's death could have easily been prevented if they had adequately assessed and controlled the risks associated with workplace transport, a leading cause of death in the workplace."

During sentencing at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Sunrise Poultry Farms was also ordered to pay costs of £8,841.

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