Bernard McCarroll, aged 68 years from Croy, was dismantling a hydraulic excavator at the company’s yard in Glasgow in May 2008 by the process known as burning, using a flame torch.

The machine weighed seven tonnes and had a weight at the rear to assist stability.

While flame cutting the bolts that held this weight to the frame of the machine, part of it fell onto McCarroll who suffered serious injuries and died.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found the dismantling operation had not been properly risk assessed or planned by Whiteinch Demolition Limited.

The court was told that a safe system of work had not been provided to those carrying out the dismantling task.

It was also found that insufficient information and instruction had been made available by the company with regard to the assembly of this large machine.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Russell Berry said: “This incident was entirely foreseeable and could have easily been avoided. If straightforward steps had been taken then Mr McCarroll would undoubtedly be alive today.”

At Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday Whiteinch Demolition Ltd, of Centurion Works, Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow pleaded guilty to safety breached and was fined £15,000.