Firm fined £300,000 for accident
A waste and recycling company has been fined £300,000 after a worker had his arm and leg caught in a shredder.
Countrystyle Recycling, based in Lenham, must also pay costs of £8,903 after admitting breaching health and safety regulations at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.
The accident happened as a mechanic was repairing a shredder at its site in Ridham, near Sittingbourne, on October 7, 2013.
He was kneeling on a conveyor belt inside the machine when it restarted and fractured his right leg and left arm after he was thrown from it.
The Health and Safety Executive found the company did not have adequate systems in place to avoid such accidents and had allowed unchallenged poor practice to become the norm.
A spokesman for Countrystyle said: “The company is surprised by the extent of the fine imposed which seems disproportionate.
“Accordingly, the company is considering the possibility of an appeal.”