Tesco Fined for Accident at Work Incident
Supermarket chain Tesco has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker fell through a roof.
Incident
An employee of Tesco Maintenance Ltd was part of a team carrying out repairs to the roof and gutters of the Tesco Liscard Express store in Liscard Village, Wallasey. The employee in question fell 30 feet through a fragile skylight onto the trading area floor of the store, suffering minor injuries.
HSE Investigation
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no risk assessment had been carried out prior to the work starting. Inspectors also found that Tesco Maintenance Ltd received no information regarding the fragility of the roof from Tesco Stores Ltd. Furthermore, HSE inspectors determined that the skylights should have been identified and necessary precautions taken, which were not.
Sentencing
After pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 10 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, Tesco Stores Ltd of Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City was fined £200,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £712.70.
Tesco Maintenance Ltd of Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £624.60.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Chris Hatton said:
“Contractors should treat all roofs with care and check before starting any work if they are fragile. I am shocked at a company the size of Tesco failing to take even basic precautions to prevent injury to its employees and further, to risk injury to the public”
Accident at work – expert advice
Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.
To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Source: Health & Safety Executive
