The boss of a truck driver who was crushed to death in front of his wife has told a court he was a "great mate" who he misses every day.
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Raymond Monteleone - the sole director of Territory Transport - pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to a work health and safety failure. The firm was fined $360,000 after employee Gregory Edwards was killed on the job in southwest Sydney.
SafeWork NSW acting head Andrew Gavrielatos told the court Mr Edwards was struck by a hydraulic ramp which was not inspected or tested before his drive to Sydney.
His wife who was travelling with him, and a colleague, tried to lift the ramp to no avail.
It was too heavy and Mr Edwards died at the scene.
Mr Monteleone told the court Mr Edwards' death deeply affected him and caused the breakdown of his marriage.
"Mr Edwards was one of a kind, he was excellent at his job, he was a good man and a great mate. I miss him dearly," he said.
"His accident is something I will need to live with for the rest of my life, not a day goes by that I don't think of him."
The long-haul freight company has now folded as Mr Monteleone could not afford to keep it running, but had operated for over 10 years with no prior issues.
District Court Judge Andrew Scotting said in his judgment he took into account both "the love and affection that Mr Edwards family had for him" and the impact on Mr Monteleone's own family.
The initial fine of $480,000 was reduced by 25 per cent to reflect the guilty plea.
Australian Associated Press
