A worker’s leg was seriously hurt after a vending machine fell down stairs at a Kent power station.

An investigation was launched after the incident at Dungeness B power station on Romney Marsh when ‘unsuitable’ equipment was being used to move the heavy machine.

The incident occurred when employees from Northamptonshire-based company XPO Transport Solutions UK were moving the vending machine down a staircase at the site in March.

They lost control of the machine, resulting in it falling onto one of the workers.

Their employee suffered serious leg injuries and required hospital treatment.

Now, the firm has been served an improvement notice by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and has until December 2 to comply with the notice.

ONR’s superintending inspector for operating facilities Mike Webb said: “Our investigation found that the equipment, a stair climber, selected to remove the vending machine from the building at the site was not suitable for this particular working environment.

“This presented additional health and safety risks for employees due to the use of this equipment on a staircase with limited space, resulting in the injury to the worker.

“We will engage with the company during the period of the improvement notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the shortfall.”

The ONR confirmed the incident was a conventional health and safety matter and there was no risk to nuclear safety, the public or the environment as a result of the incident.

Having ceased energy production in 2021, the power station is currently in the process of defuelling – a procedure to remove all nuclear fuel – which is expected to take about five years.