Wolverhampton wholesaler fined more than £34,000 over breaching health and safety regulations
A Wolverhampton wholesaler has been fined more than £34,000 after it's metal racking was at risk of collapsing, putting the public in danger.
STB Foods Ltd, based on Ettingshall Road, has been ordered to pay £34,898.45 for failing to comply with health and safety regulations.
Concerns were raised at the store in July 2017 after a food safety inspection and after Wolverhampton Council officers returned to review the site, they found food storage racks holding heavy goods were bent, split and not fixed to to floor, putting them at risk of collapse.
Director of the store, Balbir Singh pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on June 3 to breaching health and safety regulations.
Mr Singh also admitted the racking systems had not been checked for over 30 years.
Birmingham Magistrates Court fined the company £16,000 and ordered them to pay £18,728.45 in costs plus a £170 victim surcharge, bringing the total amount of £34,898,45 to be paid by September 3.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment at Wolverhampton Council, said: "Not having stable apparatus in place puts customers and employees at serious risk of harm.
“I am pleased that the business admitted their responsibilities for the health and safety of the general public and its employees and has taken action to prevent any risks to occur.
“As a council, we always try to work with businesses to ensure they are taking health and safety seriously but will not hesitate to use the power of the law to keep the public safe and free from harm.
“I would like to thank the public protection team for their continued efforts to protect the people of Wolverhampton.”
A follow-up inspection has found that the business has since replaced all damaged racks and has committed to carrying out annual inspections to protect customers.
