An Asheldham agricultural firm, Dengie Crops were fined £100,000 after one of their employees died whilst operating machinery on their site.
Dengie Crops Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced today (July 25) after a grandfather was killed in an accident on its site in 2012.
Dave Dow, 63, was killed instantly when the tailgate he was affixing to a trailer recently purchased by the firm dropped on his neck.
Following the accident a number of health and safety issues were highlighted at the firm which had three previous convictions for health and safety breaches.
Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC said when passing the sentence: "I will make no attempt to quantify the value of Mr Dow's life.
"Safety isn't a matter that can wait if you wait there could be consequences as dreadful as the ones in this case."
He said that Dengie Crops Ltd had made "strenuous efforts" to change their health and safety culture since the incident.
He said: "unsatisfactory safety culture and a history I'm satisfied has been brought to an end."
They had pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, May 12 to two counts of an "employer breach general duty to employee".
Dave Dow, had worked originally as a lorry driver and then in the yard of the animal feed company for eight years when he was killed at the yard on Hall Road in 2012.
Mr Dow's large family were left devastated by the tragic event, which was being investigated by the police and the Health and Safety Executive.
His wife, Eileen Dow, and her daughter Julie Dow sat in court to hear the verdict.
Part of a prepared statement by Mrs Dow said: "Finally some justice has been done and Dengie Crops have been punished for their appalling Health and safety which resulted in my husband's death.
"We hope Dengie Crops have learned a valuable lesson in all this that safety of their workforce should come first and not money.
"My children, grandchildren and the rest of the family and I will now try and put this behind us as best we can, and try to move on with the rest of our lives.
"We wish to thank all of our family and friends and people we never knew before, for their kind wishes and support over the last two years."
A spokesman from Dengie Crops ltd said: "The Company has taken this tragic accident extremely seriously and accepts by way of its plea of guilty that there were failings in the way it managed health and safety at its Asheldham site.
"Mr Dow was a popular and valued member of the company and the devastating effect of his death has been felt by all at Dengie – our sincerest condolences go out to Mr Dow's family."
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