£60,000 bill over man’s fat fryer accident

THE OWNERS of a restaurant in Leeds must pay almost £60,000 after a kitchen porter’s foot plunged into a hot deep fat fryer.

Piotr Sawicki was standing on a range in the kitchens of Restaurant Bar and Grill as he cleaned up at the end of service on January 14, 2016. But the kitchen porter’s foot slipped and went into the deep fat fryer, which was off but still hot.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that Mr Sawicki joined in 2012 and was shown the ropes by a colleague, who climbed on equipment to reach surfaces.

Mr Sawicki had signed a risk assessment form days before the accident in 2016, but the court heard he had a limited grasp of English.

However, it was accepted that the restaurant had acted on the advice of a health and safety firm, had no other convictions and took its responsibilities to employees at its 33 sites very seriously.

Prosecutor Sam Green QC said: “In no way does the prosecution suggest this is a shyster company that doesn’t give any regard to health and safety.”

Restaurant Bar and Grill yesterday admitted breaching its duty to protect an employee from harm on the basis that a better system could have been put in place.

Jim Ageros QC, mitigating, said it was a matter of deep regret.

He said Mr Sawicki had returned to work at the restaurant in City Square within six weeks.

The company must pay a £46,000 fine, £13,501 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.