THE widow of a delivery driver who died after being crushed by a three-tonne load of steel tubes has launched legal action against two firms.

Solicitors said they were working to secure compensation for Michelle Ismay and her three children, of Sowerby, North Yorkshire, following the sentencing of steel fabricators Daver Steels last week over the death of her husband, Robert, in December 2012.

Mrs Ismay said she had been dismayed the Sheffield firm had only been fined £62,000 after admitting breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and felt insulted the case brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had been the only outcome of the tragedy.

The hearing at Sheffield Crown Court followed an 11-day inquest last year, which heard a catalogue of errors by Daver Steels led to the 42-year-old being knocked off his lorry while unloading 7.5-metre-long steel tubes.

Irwin Mitchell workplace injury solicitor Claire Newstead said: “The prosecution by the HSE has highlighted how a series of unacceptable and wholly avoidable safety failings led to Robert’s death."

The family has launched a civil case against Daver Steels and Thirsk-based steel stockholders Tomrods, who Mr Ismay had been employed by to make the delivery.

Ms Newstead added: “We are continuing to work on behalf of Robert’s family to secure the vital financial support they deserve following this tragedy and hope to bring the case to a swift conclusion.”

Mrs Ismay said her family was still trying to come to terms with the loss of her husband and hoped the tragedy would lead to more effective safety regulations to protect workers.

She said: “While it is welcome to see this company prosecuted regarding failings which should never have been allowed to happen, we are very disappointed by the level of the fine and feel the fact it has been the only outcome is an insult.

“We hoped this prosecution would lead to recommendations [by the HSE] which would see health and safety improve, but there has been no indication on this."

Daver Steels owner John Pritchard said the firm continued to extend its sympathies to Mrs Ismay and her family, but declined to comment further.

Tomrods managing director Laurence McDougall said he was shocked by how low Daver Steels' fine had been and that it no longer worked with the steel fabricator.

An HSE spokesman said it would not issue fresh recommendations as the fine served as a warning to firms, but it would inspect Daver Steels again to check it had improved its safety measures.