A court has handed out fines totalling more than £30,000 after inspectors found staff were working in dangerous conditions at a local ‘cash and carry’ business.
Unsafe work environment
An Ealing Council inspection in December 2021 found a series of risks at Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, on Boeing Way in Southall. Inspectors found large, heavy boxes stacked at dangerous heights, staff climbing racking to retrieve stock, insufficient heating, and a lack of risk assessments.
Officers also noted damaged glass roof panels. Because of the imminent risk of serious injury that this presented, the business was immediately issued with a prohibition notice restricting all access to the area until the roof was repaired. In April 2024, Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court heard that a further 3 improvement notices were served on 20 December 2021. However, during a follow up inspection on 3 March 2022, officers noted that little improvement had been made, and only one of the 4 notices was considered as having been complied with
Successful prosecution
On 15 December 2023, Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, and the company director Survir Singh Nagpal of Whitton Dene, Isleworth, pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation. The manager Raj Singh Alwadi of Baron Avenue, Hounslow, had pleaded not guilty, and he was found guilty after trial for all 3 charges on 18 March 2024.
On 9 April 2024, all 3 parties were sentenced together and ordered to pay more than £30,000 in total. This included fines of £18,000 for Fair Deal Cash and Carry Ltd, £2,123 for Mr Nagpal, and £3,184 for Mr Alwadi. The council was also awarded costs of £6,991. The business has since taken positive steps to become compliant, including appointing a health and safety advisor.
Protecting employees in the workplace
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Our enforcement team have, again, done some fantastic work in ensuring that local employers are meeting their responsibilities with health and safety.
“We will continue to support local businesses to ensure that regulations are upheld and employees feel safe in their work environments. We will not hesitate to take the strongest action possible against employers who fail to offer a safe place to work for their team.”
Businesses who would like health and safety advice can email healthandsafety@ealing.gov.uk or visit the council website.
