The girlfriend of a man killed after being pinned against a steel column by an industrial vehicle has paid tribute to the man who left a ‘hole in their lives’.

Lithuanian-born Linas Mataitis, 25, from Mitcham, was struck by the bucket of a wheeled loading shovel at European Metal Recycling’s (EMR) site on Scrubs Lane, Willesden, during a shutdown clean-up on July 18 2010.

He suffered fatal injuries after he was pinned against a steel column by the industrial vehicle.

He had joined the company just two months earlier as a temporary worker.

Yesterday EMR of Delta Crescent, Westbrook, Warrington, Cheshire, was fined a total of £300,000 and told to pay a further £72,901 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching heath and safety regulations and accepting shortcomings in their training, instruction and supervision, at Southwark Crown Court which led to the 25-year-old's death.

Speaking on behalf of the family, his girlfriend Donata Gerulyte, said: "It’s almost three years since Linas was killed at work, but it still feels like it happened yesterday such is the hole it has left in our lives.

"His parents have lost their only son, who they hoped would support them as they grew old and who would one day take over the small family business in the Lithuanian village where we grew up.

"I know that was his dream also once we started our own family together.

"Life is slightly easier for me because I have my own work to keep me busy and family and friends to comfort me.

"Things are slowly returning to normal, but I will never, ever forget him, or what happened."

Wimbledon Times: Impact of the accident on steel support beams

Impact of the accident on steel support beams

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, (HSE) it was established that the loading shovel was being driven by a partly trained operator who may have been unauthorised to use it.

The company had confusing and conflicting records in this regard, highlighting failings to properly manage and audit training and supervision.

After the hearing, Jane Wolfenden, HSE Inspector said: "Linas’ tragic death was entirely preventable.

"European Metal Recycling, as one of the world’s largest recycling companies, should have been fully aware of its health and safety duties, and of the clear risks presented by vehicle and pedestrian movements.

"A risk assessment is not a paper exercise where a ‘one size fits all’ approach is acceptable, and the company should have properly planned for the shutdown operation where the level of risk was significantly increased -implementing safe systems of work to suit.

"The same can be said for training, instruction and supervision, where there was no clear direction or protocol for monitoring new or inexperienced workers.

"As a consequence of the company’s failings Linas’ family continue to grieve the loss of a son, brother and partner."