Supermarket giant Tesco has been fined £48,000 after a local authority in Berkshire discovered a number of health and safety failings at one of its stores.
The company was prosecuted by the environmental health department of Bracknell Forest Council for breaches relating to the loading and unloading of vehicles at a store in Warfield.
Tesco admitted the charges, which included failing to provide a safe working system relating to the loading and unloading of vehicles and failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to operational and managerial staff relating to the loading and unloading of vehicles.
It was also discovered that three staff accidents at work which occurred at two different local stores went unreported by the supermarket.
David Steeds, head of environmental health at Bracknell Forest 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 harms way.”
Tesco was fined a total of £48,000 plus £25,000 in legal costs. A £15 victim surcharge was also made against the company.
“I hope this sends a warning to all companies that health and safety measures should be in place and followed or else we will prosecute them on behalf of the welfare of their staff,” Mr Steeds added.
Source: IOSH
