A FATHER who died after being pulled into fast-moving machinery at a paper mill died from severe multiple injuries, an inquest has heard.

Richard Zebedee died at the paper mill in Ivybridge on April 28, 2009.

The 45-year-old father of two daughters lived with his wife Sarah in Ivybridge and worked as a process operator for Arjo Wiggins paper mill.

An inquest in Plymouth was told how Mr Zebedee suffered extensive damage to his rib cage, arm, shoulder, neck and face.

The incident happened shortly after 6pm, just a few minutes in to his shift. The jury heard that Mr Zebedee was attempting to clear 'broke' paper waste from high speed rollers with an improvised tool.

He had been working at the paper mill for about a year and at the time worked as a 'paper dryer'.

Fellow workman Gregory McCallion, told the inquest that it was the first time that Mr Zebedee had worked on the particular 'unique' security paper which was being produced on that shift.

Mr McCallion said he saw Mr Zebedee open up a gate, which had an unlocked padlock on it to get access to the spinning rollers, and while this action was considered dangerous and against the firm's safety regime, other workers often took such action because of 'pressure' to get the work done.

Mr McCallion suggested his workmate use a longer device to clean the 'broke', after Mr Zebedee had initially pulled out a small knife in an attempt to clean it.

The jury were told staff were trained, but due to staff shortages and sickness, Mr Zebedee was assigned the role of dryerman without completing all the necessary training.

The jury were informed by Tony Lord, who was in charge of the line on the night, that Mr Zebedee would have known the safety guidelines and safer options that should have been used.

These guidelines included stopping the line or disengaging the rollers.

Another workmate, Trevor Chandler, a retained firefighter, attempted to revive Mr Zebedee at the time, but to no avail.

An inspection by the Health and Safety Executive revealed safety measures were not being followed, and some areas of the machinery were not sufficient.

The firm has spent £400,000 improving safety measures since the incident.

The jury found there had been 'inappropriate and insufficient guarding that allowed access to dangerous parts.'.

The jury went on to say: 'There is evidence of proper training procedures not being followed or complied with in relation to the post of dryerman'.

Following the inquest, Mr Zebedee's wife, Sarah, said: '"This is of course a difficult day.

'Richard was a wonderful man who lived for his family and the void his death has left is immense.'

Lisa Gunner solicitor said: 'Thompson Solicitors confirms that its Serious Injuries Unit is acting on behalf of the family of Mr Zebedee, but it would be inappropriate to comment further at present'.