The colleague of a man who suffocated when a pile of waste up to eight metres high fell on him told an inquest of the harrowing moment he could hear him shouting for help.

Industrial cleaner and labourer Neville Watson died at Blaise Farm Quarry in Kings Hill in August last year.

Mr Watson’s colleague Timothy Headland was the first to get to him. He tried to dig away at the rubbish to find Mr Watson.

He said: “I could hear him under there. He was shouting ‘get me out’ and I was talking to him to let him know we were there and to try to keep him going.”

He told the jury he last heard Mr Watson around five or 10 minutes before the emergency services found him.

The 39-year-old had been working at the New Earth Solutions plant, which processes green and food waste into compost, since January.

"I could hear him under there. He was shouting 'get me out' and I was talking to him to let him know we were there and to try to keep him going..." - Timothy Headland

But at an inquest at Archbishop’s Palace this week, a jury heard it was the first time Mr Watson, who lived in Lakeside, Snodland, had been left in full control of the shredding machine.

He was described as a competent worker and not worried.

A remote control was broken, which meant staff – usually advised to stay in their cabs for safety reasons – would have to get out of their plant vehicles and use a control panel on the side of the machine.

Driver Kris Bravery from Countrystyle Group had gone to the shed Mr Watson was working in to ask him for help getting the tarpaulin over his lorry.

Mr Watson got out of the cab of his loader, he said, and appeared to be connecting it to the shredder when the landslide happened.

Mr Bravery said: “He disappeared from view and I saw the whole pile collapse. It fell from the pile like a wave in a 20/30ft chunk.”

Workers and other contractors tried to help with the rescue and paramedics tried to resuscitate Mr Watson but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest heard how there was no formal training given on the risks of landslides, but supervisor Steve Williams said he had warned workers.

Plant operator Steven Harrison said he would have expected a supervisor to be present the first time Mr Watson used the machinery.

A rubbish fall of that magnitude had not been reported since the site opened in 2008.

"It’s a complete waste and a tragic waste of a life..." - Coroner Patricia Harding

The hearing, which began on Monday and concluded today, heard that there is currently no legislation for stockpiling waste.

This is something that Coroner Patricia Harding has vowed to take action on.

“It may have surprised some of you (the jury) but there’s no legislation in relation to stockpiling materials such as this and there are no guidelines,” she said.

“It’s quite clear that the compay Blaise Farm Quarry have brought a number of changes into place following the very tragic death.

"They are going to write to me on what other changes have been brought into place that I haven’t heard about. I have a statutory duty to prevent future deaths.

“I will be making a report to the appropriate authority to take action in relation to the death.

“It would be crucial and proper for the industries involved to be made aware of this occasion so they can take appropriate action for their own activities.”

Concluding Mr Watson's death was an accident, she told his family: “I am terribly sorry for your loss. It’s a complete waste and a tragic waste of a life.”

Peter Mills, director of operations for New Earth Solutions, said: "We would like to send our condolences.

"I knew him personally and he was a popular and respected member of staff.

"Clearly it's a very difficult time for the family having to relive it and our thoughts are with them and his colleagues that worked closely with him.

"I noted with interest the coroner's lines on guidance. We will share with the authorities and assist with any recommendations.

"I am aware of a health and safety investigation separate from the inquest. I am aware it is still officially ongoing and we will assist with this."