Greencore has been fined £1m after a worker died at its cake and desserts factory in Hull.

A self-employed electrical contractor died after a falling from a stepladder while wiring a motor above a machine in October 2013.

According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Greencore agreed this work could be completed using a stepladder, which it had provided.

Hull Crown Court heard that an HSE investigation found Greencore had failed to properly plan the work from the beginning, including access arrangements to be made for installation of motors.

Greencore Grocery Ltd, of Amsterdam Road, Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Hull, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £1m with £30,000 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Denise Fotheringham said falls from height remained one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities.

“The risks associated with working at height are well known,” she added. “Work at height regulations require that all work at height is properly planned and appropriate access is provided.

“If Greencore had carried this out, this death could have been prevented.”

Greencore said everyone at the business was deeply saddened by the accident.

“The company wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family,” it added in a statement.

“The health and wellbeing of our staff and contractors is of paramount importance to Greencore and we have worked closely with the Health & Safety Executive since the accident occurred to ensure every measure is in place to prevent anything of this kind happening again in future.”