The Cross, Kenilworth, fined after apprentice slips into deep-fat fryer
Michelin-starred restaurant the Cross in Kenilworth has been ordered to pay more than £25,000 after an apprentice fell into a deep-fat fryer and severely scalded his foot.
Local paper the Kenilworth Weekly repored that the 18-year-old had been told to clean an extractor fan when his foot slipped and fell into the fryer, which was running at roughly 180°C.
It was later found he had not received health and safety training, information or instruction. He had also not been informed of any applicable risk assessment with regards to the task.
Owners the 3 A Pub Company pleaded guilty to a Section 2(1) offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at a Warwickshire Justice Centre in July. They were fined £25,200 at Coventry Magistrates Court on 16 August along with £5,900 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
The victim, who received months of medical treatment following the incident, is still employed by the restaurant.
Warwick District Council's portfolio holder for health and community protection councillor Andrew Thompson said: "Warwick District Council takes the health and safety of all of our residents very seriously.
"We work closely with businesses to encourage the highest of standards. We will always take enforcement action against businesses who fail to comply with the safety standards required of them and as a result put the health and well-being of their employees or customers at risk."
Andreas Antona, owner of the Cross at Kenilworth, said the company was "deeply regretful", and had "accepted responsibility", but added the restaurant was considering challenging the pay out.
He added: "As someone with 25 years' experience of running restaurants without a prior incident, it is clear that we take matters of health and safety very seriously.
"We employed specialist health and safety consultants prior to the accident to advise on these matters and following the incident we employed a further health and safety consultant to review our health and safety management system. The recommendations made following that review have been implemented.
"We are considering our position regarding an appeal as we feel the level of the fine to be unduly high."