A Maidstone recycling firm has been fined more than £666,000 after a crane accident left one of its workers with serious brain injuries.

On Monday, Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard how a worker at Countrystyle Recycling Ltd suffered serious injuries after the boom of a telehandler crane struck him in the head.

An inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the accident at the firm's Lenham site "could have been prevented."

Magistrates heard the crane had been left running while the casualty left the cab unattended.

When another employee began to lift and lower the crane, its boom struck the casualty's head.

"Workplace transport incidents are very serious and usually result in life threatening injuries, as highlighted in this case" - Bose Gabriel

Police and air ambulance crews rushed to the industrial site in Ashford Road, Lenham, where the 34-year-old was flown to St George's Hospital in London with head and chest injuries.

An investigation from the Health and Safety Executive found employees had not been fully trained to safely operate cranes on site.

Inspector Bose Gabriel said: "This incident could have been prevented had Countrystyle planned this workplace activity beforehand and identified the risks associated."

Investigators found the firm failed to plan the management and overseeing of workplace transport activities.

Countrystyle Recycling Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

The company has been fined £666700.00 as well as being ordered to pay a surcharge of £170.00 and costs totalling £8424.01.

Since the accident, the casualty has not returned work.

Insp Gabriel added: "Duty holders must ensure they devise and carry out safe systems of work at all times. Workplace transport incidents are very serious and usually result in life threatening injuries, as highlighted in this case.”

Stuart Butler-Gallie, director of legal and admin at Countrystyle Recycling Ltd disputed the HSE's account on the court case.

He said the injured party, a supervisor at the plant, had been crouched down at the front of the telehandler to clear material from the machinery and wasn't seen by the colleague who lowered the boom onto his head.

He said: ”The Company recognised that the stop/start procedures that it had in place had not been followed and based on legal advice had pleaded guilty to the offences.

”The Company has fully supported and paid the injured party since the accident in 2015, and despite the comment in the HSE press release, it was made clear to the District Judge on Monday that the injured party’s recovery is such that he is engaged in fortnightly return to work sessions and has a role earmarked for his return within the administration of our paper/card recycling operation."