Holmfirth textile worker Gary Lee killed in tragedy

Jul 2 2009 By Sam Casey

He said: “I had shown Gary how to clean the chamber. At no point did I show Gary to go into the compression chamber or use ladders to get in.”

He added: “I didn’t tell Gary to turn off the machine at the mains. Never did I turn it off myself because I didn’t think there was a risk.”

Another colleague, Darrell Short, said he had been asked to clean the baler before the incident, but told his manager he had never done it before.

Mr Short told the inquest: “The person who was in charge asked Gary to ask Edward (Mr Senior) to quickly show him how to clean it.

“Gary was the sort of person who would do anything for anyone.”

A number of other workers said it was standard practice to switch the baler off at the mains before cleaning it.

And managing director Trevor Chippendale said it was mandatory to do so.

The inquest heard Mr Senior was initially questioned by police on potential manslaughter charges after the tragedy, but the investigation was later dropped.

Mr Senior said he had no management responsibility for Mr Lee.

He said he was “extremely shocked and saddened” by Mr Lee’s death.

The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out an investigation into Westwood Yarns.

The inquest is due to conclude today after more evidence is presented to a jury.