The failure to implement and follow basic health and safety requirements can result in catastrophic injuries with massive fines imposed since the inception of the Sentencing Guidance.
This was very much the case for The Cross, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kenilworth. It has been reported that an 18 year old Apprentice Chef had been told to clean an extractor fan at the cooking range. This task unfortunately resulted in the chef’s foot slipping into the deep fat fryer which was operating at 180°C oil.
This severe accident resulted in severe scalding, with the victim, who continues to work at The Cross forced to undergo months of medical treatment.
The restaurants owners, 3A Pub Company pleaded guilty to a Section 2(1) offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were fined £25,200 at Coventry Magistrates Court and ordered to pay £5,900 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
It has been reported that the injured chef had not received health and safety training, information or instruction. He had also not been informed of any applicable risk assessment with regards to the task.
This unfortunate injury could easily have been avoided if a site specific risk assessment and safe system of work had been put in place by a competently trained person.
This case highlights the need for identifying health and safety hazards and putting the necessary control measures and precautions in place when using dangerous machinery. The importance of making sure that staff are appropriately trained in the risk assessments which are specific to job roles cannot be understated.
Click here to read the CSC guidance for implementation and management of risk assessments.
If you require any further support regarding the implementation and management of risk assessments, please do not hesitate to contact CSC.
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