In the Courts - Morrisons pays £183,282 over unsecured safety barrier

Lucie Ponting | Prosecutions and Claims |
20.10.2009

An incident in which an unsecured safety barrier swung and hit an employee has cost supermarket giant Morrisons £183,282 in fines and costs.

Stock replenisher Kevin Brookshaw, who worked at the chain's Crewe store, lost half his face when the barrier slammed into his car in December 2006 as he pulled into the store's petrol station on his way to start a night shift. He was approaching a safety barrier in front of the station when it swung across and smashed through the passenger side of the car's windscreen and into his head.

After several months in hospital and a series of operations for his facial injuries, which included the loss of an eye, Brookshaw is unable to talk, eat or swallow.

Morrisons admitted breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to protect workers and the public. At Chester Crown Court on 16 October, Judge Roger Dutton fined it £83,300 for each charge. The firm must also pay £16,682 prosecution costs.

Brookshaw will now pursue a civil claim against the supermarket.

Source: Health and Safety Professional

HSP