Skip death trial: Colleague of tragedy victim paid '£40 for 12 hours work'
The colleague of a labourer killed at a skip hire firm told police an accident log was 'never filled in' and he was paid £40 for 12 hours work, a court heard.
Mahima Singh outlined working conditions at Bilston Skips where 24-year-old Jagpal 'Jagger' Singh lost his life.
It is alleged an excavator being driven by Bikram Mahli either knocked Mr Jagpal Singh to the ground or forced him to fall at the New Enterprise Estate yard in Monmore Road, Monmore Green, Wolverhampton.
Mr Mahima Singh was employed by the firm to sort rubbish and his statement to police was read to the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Recalling his experiences with the company, he said: "I, the deceased, and the owner used to work at the yard. Bikram and Jagger used to drive the JCB digger.
"I used to drive the loader, but only when Bikram instructed me to do so. I never got any training to operate it.
"There was a green coloured first aid kit in the office. When someone had a minor cut they would go into the kit and use an elastoplast. We never filled in any accident book.
"I used to do a 12-hour shift with two breaks of 15 minutes and 45 minutes. I was paid a wage in cash which was £40 per day.
"There was never any wage skip and I never signed anything when I got paid."
Mr Jagpal Singh, from Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, was standing in a 'bin' sorting garden rubbish when he was killed on June 28, 2012.
He had suffered serious internal injuries with one of his lungs detached by 'significant blunt force' to the chest.
The prosecution argue this could have been caused by the JCB arm and bucket, but the eight feet high fall from the skip in which he had been working could not be excluded as being responsible for the fatal injury.
Mr Mahima Singh said he did not see what happened but was there as his colleague was helped to the site office.
He added: "I saw a lot of blood coming out of Jagger's mouth and nose. The owner of the yard next door came over and pressed on his chest.
"He said his chest was broken."
Mr Jagpal Singh was taken to New Cross Hospital where he was certified dead less than an hour after the incident
The company has since gone into liquidation but is being prosecuted in its absence. It denies corporate manslaughter and failing to discharge its duty of care to employees.
Mahli, 44, of Yale Road, Willenhall has admitted negligence in failing to ensure the safety of Mr Singh but denies manslaughter through gross negligence. The case continues.
