The director of a Turkish restaurant in London has been convicted of safety failings after an eight-year-old child sustained life-changing injuries when his hand got trapped in a mincing machine.
Waltham Forest prosecuted Gokyuzu Walthamstow following a long investigation prompted by an incident in which life-changing injuries were caused to an 8-year-old boy in the Gokyuzu kitchen on 7 April 2019.
Environmental Health Officers visited the premises after being notified of the accident and discovered an absence of any written risk assessments, training or other safety procedures. Officers found that the in-built fixed guard to the mincing machine had been removed with a mechanical angle grinder, which caused the child’s injuries when his hand became trapped in the cutting mechanism in the restaurant’s kitchen.
At Stratford Magistrates’ Court, the director of Gokyuzu, Veysel Yavuz, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to ensure the safety of employees and one count of failing to ensure dangerous machinery had the required safety measures in place. A third charge of failing to control access to the kitchen was dropped.
‘This incident has left a young child with life-changing injuries – and all because Gokyuzu Walthamstow failed in their health and safety obligations by removing the safety guard from their mincing machine,’ said Deputy leader of Waltham Forest Council, Clyde Loakes.
‘This case and the punishment handed down should be a reminder to all businesses of their duties to customers, staff and visitors - we will prosecute those that fail in their duties.
“It is often forgotten that improvements in Health and Safety law and practice have saved many serious injuries and constant vigilance by those responsible is needed to ensure compliance.’
As well as the fine, it was ordered to pay costs of £16,557 to the council.
