The owner of a Risca fish and chip shop has been fined after a worker was burnt by hot oil.
Sunil Bhalla, owner of The Frydays, Elm Drive, Ty Sign, was taken to court by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s environmental health team following an investigation into working practices at the business.
A worker at the shop had to seek medical attention for burns, having been struck by hot oil on her feet, left leg and back while her employer was emptying the fryer.
An inspection at the premises found that Bhalla was in breach of health and safety.
Under legislation, Bhalla was required to ensure that a safe system of work was implemented and followed when emptying oil from the fryer.
He also should have provided employees with health and safety training, but there was no documentation available to evidence these requirements.
Personal protective equipment in the form of safety footwear should have been given to employees upon identifying the need to wear it.
Bhalla confirmed that the need to wear safety footwear had been identified but he had not provided any.
He appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on April 10 and pleaded guilty to all three offences.
He was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine for the first offence and £1,000 for the second and third offences. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,144 and a victim surcharge of £120.
Councillor David Poole, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “This incident was totally preventable and demonstrates the importance of ensuring that legislation is complied with in order to protect employees. I am pleased that the court has emphasised the seriousness of this case in the level of fine it has imposed.”