Bakery fined £36,000 for safety failings

Stevenage Magistrates’ Court heard how the Hertfordshire-based bakery was inspected in April 2015 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after which four improvement notices were issued.

The investigation revealed the electrical network was not operated or maintained in a safe condition and guarding to machinery was not up to standard.

Exposure to flour dust​

Also, there was no health surveillance for exposure to flour dust.

The HSE prosecuted the firm after it failed to comply with the improvements set out in the notices within the deadline.

Arnaouti Pitta Bread Bakery Ltd, of Stephenson Close, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to contravening the requirements imposed by the Improvement Notices, to breaching Regulation 11(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.

Fined £36,000​

The business was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,912.80.

The family-run firm started as a small bakery shop in the 1950s supplying the local community with fresh bread 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

After moving to a site in Tottenham, North London, the bakery claimed to be the first to introduce a pitta bread product into major bakery organisations serving national and regional multiples.

The bakery’s current range includes: pitta bread, wraps, naan and bespoke products.

Meanwhile, more information about controlling substances which can be hazardous to health visit the HSE website​.