Pret A Manger fined £800,000 after staff member became stuck in side walk-in freezer
Food and Beverage outlet Pret A Manger has been fined £800,000 after one of its staff members became trapped inside a freezer kept at -18C.
The distressed worker – who had to be treated for hypothermia – was discovered after two-and-a-half hours by a colleague at the chain’s Victoria coach station outlet on 29 July 2021.
Wearing just jeans and a T-shirt, she tried to stay warm by moving around, but her condition began to deteriorate.
Consequently, the sandwich chain pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday to an offence that contradicted the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 after an investigation by Westminster Council.
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Councillor Aicha Less, deputy leader and cabinet member for communities, public protection and licensing said: “The shocking details of this case show a lapse of due care and attention.
“This incident shows that overlooking basic safety measures can have the most serious consequences.”
At Crownford we can help keep your employees safe and your business safe from HSE fines, contact us today on 0871 22 616 22 to see how we can help you!
