Worker crushed under caravan at Coopers Beach Holiday Park in East Mersea, Essex

The employee was trapped under the back of the caravan, which was quickly lifted off him.

He was not seriously injured after the incident on January 29, 2016.

Park Resorts Ltd, now part of Parkdean Resorts, admitted to a breach of health and safety legislation at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The case was brought by Colchester Borough Council’s health and safety officers.

Councillor Tina Bourne, portfolio holder for housing and communities at Colchester Borough Council, said after the hearing: “This could so easily have been a fatal accident, and serves as a dreadful reminder that laws which enforce health and safety standards exist for good reason and that flouting them can have serious, sometimes even tragic, consequences.

“Our health and safety officers take a dim view of those who fail to put safety first, matching this commitment with an excellent track-record.”

The company pleaded guilty after charges were read out in court relating to its failure to follow its own safe system of working for moving and siting caravans, using untrained employees to assist with the move, and inadequate paperwork.

The company admitted to one breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 1974, in failing to discharge a duty under Section 2(1) to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of employees at work, which is an offence under Section 33 (1) (a) of the HSWA.

The case has been adjourned until Monday, December 18 for sentencing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Park Resorts Ltd operates 37 Caravan parks across the UK.

A Colchester Borough Council spokesman confirmed in a statement: “The employee became trapped underneath the rear of the caravan while trying to free a corner steady (leg) which had become stuck, while it was being prepared to move.

“Fortunately the caravan was quickly lifted off the employee, who was not seriously injured.”