Case New Holland has admitted to putting workers' lives at risk and ignoring repeated safety warnings.

Case committed the series of breaches at its tractor plant on Cranes Farm Road between November 2006 and May 2008, the Basildon Crown Court heard.

According to Echo News, the company, that employed 1,400 people at the time, has admitted to failing to adhere to safety standards regarding equipment and training.

The UK Health and Safety Executive found that many of its forklifts were operated in poor lighting conditions and badly marked pedestrian walkways despite having broken lights.

The court heard that staff concerns that were raised with managers were repeatedly ignored.

A failure highlighted involved a 57-year-old engineer who was exposed to leaking liquid nitrogen in May 2008. The man held his breath as he entered a chamber containing the substance to stop the leak. He had worked for Case for 32 years but had never been properly trained to handle the dangerous substance, the court heard.

Prosecutor Nigel Ingram said it was lucky no one had been badly hurt in the plant. "At all levels within the company, including the health and safety department, there were significant failures," he said.

Selva Ramasamy, representing Case, said forklifts had since been examined, factory lighting revamped and all other safety issues dealt with.

He said the company had a previously excellent health and safety record and it was hard to monitor safety on a large site.

Ramasamy referred to another company, fined GBP180,000 (USD299,235) for more serious breaches and requested the figure be considered a "ceiling" for the fine set for Case.

Case admitted to failing to provide a plant which was safe for employees and failing to ensure employee safety when working with liquid nitrogen.

Judge Christopher Mitchell adjourned the case but indicated that regardless of the fine, the company would have to pay GBP58,899 (USD97,906) prosecution costs.