HEALTH and safety officials are urging all employers to be extra vigilant following a fatal accident at a recycling plant.

The safety reminder comes after the death of 58-year-old Peter Cook at the Nordic Recycling at Chatham Dockyard on Friday, January 13.

Mr Cook, who was married and lived in Chancery Road, Cliffe, near Rochester, was crushed to death when a ton of paper being loaded on to a lorry fell on him.

Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the death. An inquest into Mr Cook’s death was opened and adjourned on Thursday.

Mike Walters, from the HSE, said: “Simple and effective controls can be put in place to minimise risks.”