Marston's fined after pub chef injured

Pub chain Marston's has been fined £10,000 after a chef was seriously injured in a kitchen accident.

Marston's pleaded guilty to breaches of the health and safety regulations during a hearing before Gloucester magistrates.

The court heard that Heather Turner Lunn, head chef of the Weavers Arms, Quedgeley, had slipped and fallen, plunging her arm into the oil of a deep-fat fryer that she had left to cool on the floor.

Evidence was given to the court that Mrs Turner Lunn had not been given correct instruction on the use of deep-fat fryers.

The court was told that Mrs Turner had been in the process of cleaning out the fryer when the accident happened.

In mitigation it was said that Marston's had acted quickly to upgrade safety and training procedures at the pub following the accident which happened in 2006.

Magistrates chairman Joanna Tee said the court could have imposed a £20,000 fine.

But added: "A recent Health and Safety inspection gave the premises a gold rating. It was an isolated incident and was not deliberate."

After the case HSE Inspector Sarah Haynes commented: "Over 50% of major injuries at work in the catering and hospitality sector are as a result of slips, trips and falls.

They can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. They can shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity."

Marston's margins under pressure as beer sales slip >>

Marston's pub sales stagnant in ‘challenging market' >>

‘Slips and trips' at work costs society £31m >>

By Andrew Smith

E-mail your comments to Andrew Smith here.