A train repair company has been fined £133,000 after an employee died of head injuries at work.

Railcare Ltd previously admitted breaching health and safety legislation following the death of worker John Smith.

The 53-year-old sustained fatal head injuries while working on a lathe used to clean the wheels of trains at the firm’s premises in Charles Street, Springburn, on December 15, 2008.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday, the company was fined over the death of Mr Smith, who had worked there for 30 years.

Elaine Taylor, head of the Crown Office’s health and safety division, said: "This case yet again demonstrates the crucial importance of employers carrying out suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to their employees in the course of their daily work, taking the steps necessary to identify such risks, and thereafter ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and dangerous machinery parts are properly guarded.

"Railcare failed in each of these respects in relation to the axle lathe. As a result, Mr Smith lost his life in an entirely avoidable incident. Today our thoughts are with his family."

The company had previously admitted failing to carry out a risk assessment of the lathe, as well as not providing adequate training for workers using it.

All of these failings led to the death of Mr Smith, the court found.

Lesley Hammond, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "This is a tragic incident that need never have happened. Although lathes are common in workplaces throughout the country, they are potentially lethal. A chuck guard should always be in place and safe working practices should always be adhered to.

"In this case, supervision throughout the company failed to act on these matters. This contributed to a working environment which had safety procedures in place on paper, but permitted them to be disregarded in practice."