A waste management company has been fined £400,000 after one of its employees was seriously injured by a JCB.

The incident happened at Viridor Waste Management Ltd's site at Crayford Creek, Dartford in February 2017.

Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard how a man working as a banksman was assisting a lorry move into a bay when a shovel loader reversed out, knocked him to the ground and drove over half his body.

The employee suffered very serious internal injuries and multiple serious fractures, both with significant life changing effects.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Viridor failed to organise the workplace in a way which protected both pedestrians and vehicles.

The company pleaded guilty to causing a life changing injury to one of its employees and was fined £400,000.

This prosecution was the fourth in four years for the company, two of which related to fatal incidents.

In a statement to the court, Viridor’s managing director sincerely apologised to the worker and his family for the injuries he suffered.

The company accepted that, despite having specific procedures in place to safely manage vehicles on site, on this occasion they were regrettably not followed.

A spokesman said the incident had had a profound impact on Viridor, adding: “We take our health and safety responsibilities very seriously.

"Absolutely nothing is more important than the safety of our people.”

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Megan Carr said: “This incident is a reminder to the waste and recycling industry as to the importance of good workplace transport control which can often be achieved by simple pragmatic steps to avoid such incidents from occurring.

"HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

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