Tesco fined £48,000 for health and safety failings
16:12 - 20/04/2011
Tesco fined £48,000 for health and s...
Tesco have been prosecuted by a local authority in Berkshire for a number of safety failings, which include the failure to provide instruction and training for staff at one of their stores.
The supermarket was fined £48,000 and ordered to pay a further £25,000 in legal costs for a series of safety breaches discovered by the environmental health department of Bracknell Forest Council.
The breaches related to failing to provide a safe system of work for the loading and unloading of vehicles at its store in Warfield. They also included failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision for staff in relation to the loading and unloading of vehicles.
Investigations by Bracknell Forest Council also revealed that three staff accidents, one of them fairly major, which had occurred at local stores, had gone unreported by the retail giant.
David Steeds, Head of Environmental Health at the Council, said: “It’s vital that companies stick to health and safety rules so their employees remain out of danger at work. Unfortunately, Tesco failed to keep to these rules and as a result employees were injured, quite seriously in one of the cases, or put in harm’s way.”
In addition to their fine and prosecution costs, Tesco were also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. Mr Steeds added that he hoped the case would serve as a “warning” to other companies that health and safety regulations should be followed at all times.
Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response Training, says: “Even well-established companies cannot escape the consequences if they are found to be neglecting health and safety.
“Accidents and ill-health at work cost the UK economy millions of pounds every year, not to mention the devastating effects they can have on workers and their families. In difficult times, many firms look to cut back on staff training as a way of reducing costs, but this is definitely false economy and won’t benefit anyone in the long-term.
“It is vital that staff are properly trained in the health and safety procedures relevant to their work setting and role. Not only can training help to keep staff safe but it can also aid companies in recruiting and retaining top quality workers. At First Response, we also firmly believe that it helps to create a positive environment where workers feel safe and, above all, valued.”
For more information on any of the health and safety training courses offered by First Response Training, please call free phone 0800 310 2300.
The supermarket was fined £48,000 and ordered to pay a further £25,000 in legal costs for a series of safety breaches discovered by the environmental health department of Bracknell Forest Council.
The breaches related to failing to provide a safe system of work for the loading and unloading of vehicles at its store in Warfield. They also included failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision for staff in relation to the loading and unloading of vehicles.
Investigations by Bracknell Forest Council also revealed that three staff accidents, one of them fairly major, which had occurred at local stores, had gone unreported by the retail giant.
David Steeds, Head of Environmental Health at the Council, said: “It’s vital that companies stick to health and safety rules so their employees remain out of danger at work. Unfortunately, Tesco failed to keep to these rules and as a result employees were injured, quite seriously in one of the cases, or put in harm’s way.”
In addition to their fine and prosecution costs, Tesco were also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. Mr Steeds added that he hoped the case would serve as a “warning” to other companies that health and safety regulations should be followed at all times.
Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response Training, says: “Even well-established companies cannot escape the consequences if they are found to be neglecting health and safety.
“Accidents and ill-health at work cost the UK economy millions of pounds every year, not to mention the devastating effects they can have on workers and their families. In difficult times, many firms look to cut back on staff training as a way of reducing costs, but this is definitely false economy and won’t benefit anyone in the long-term.
“It is vital that staff are properly trained in the health and safety procedures relevant to their work setting and role. Not only can training help to keep staff safe but it can also aid companies in recruiting and retaining top quality workers. At First Response, we also firmly believe that it helps to create a positive environment where workers feel safe and, above all, valued.”
For more information on any of the health and safety training courses offered by First Response Training, please call free phone 0800 310 2300.
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