Bakery company fined for safety failings

Stevenage Magistrates’ Court heard how Arnaouti Pitta Bread Bakery was inspected in April 2015 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and four Improvement notices were issued.

HSE found the electrical network was not operated or maintained in a safe condition, guarding to machinery was not up to standard, and there was no health surveillance for exposure to flour dust. HSE prosecuted the firm after they failed to comply with the improvements set out in the notices within the deadline.

Arnaouti Pitta Bread Bakery pleaded guilty to contravening the requirements imposed by the Improvement Notices, to breaching Regulation11(1) of the Provision(and Use) of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and Regulation 11 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The company was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1912.80.