Qld worksite death 'completely avoidable'

The death of a new employee crushed by machinery on a Queensland work site was "completely avoidable", a coroner has found.

Simon James Poxon died on February 26, 2013 after a driver at Sherrin Rentals' Toowoomba depot reversed a bucket truck, crushing him against a knuckle boom and causing fatal injuries to his torso.

Deputy State Coroner John Lock handed down his findings in Brisbane on Friday, deeming the 47-year-old's death "completely avoidable" and referring the driver's actions to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Poxon had only been working for the company for two days when the tragic incident occurred, having taken up extra work after a long wet season took a toll on his business.

He was trapped between the vehicles after a teenage worker, Jameson Boon reversed the bucket truck.

The coroner found it was "clear" Mr Boon hadn't physically checked around the vehicle before moving it, nor used a spotter.

In his findings, Coroner Lock concluded the Queensland Police Service investigation proceeded on the assumption the incident was workplace-related and focused on the training provided to Mr Boon instead of the manner of driving itself.

"The lack of, or quality of, training may be an issue that could be raised in mitigation to charges brought," he said.

"But (it) is not an issue that should be considered when examining the manner of driving, which should be the primary focus."

As such, Coroner Lock referred the evidence relating to the 19-year-old's driving to the DPP.

But he stressed this did not necessarily mean charges should or would be laid.

Mr Poxon's widow Marie did not talk to media, but clutched a framed picture of her husband outside the court building.

"We are encouraged by the coroner's findings in shedding light into the circumstances of Simon's tragic death," lawyer Lisa Flynn said on her behalf.

"Workplaces should be safe environments."