THE owner of a Risca fish and chip shop has been fined £4,000 following a serious breach of health and safety regulations on his premises.

Sunil Bhalla, 36, the proprietor of the Frydays at Elm Drive, was taken to court by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s environmental health team following an investigation into working practices at the business last year.

The investigation revealed that a counter assistant working at The Frydays had to seek medical attention for burns, having been struck by hot oil on her feet, left leg and back while her employer was emptying the fryer.

Bhalla appeared at Newport Magistrates Court on April 10, where he pleaded guilty to all three charges against him: two relating to his general duty to his employee and one relating to a breach in health and safety regulations.

He was fined £4,000 for all three offences and was also ordered to pay costs of £1,144 and a victim surcharge of £120.

The court heard how during an inspection at the premises it was discovered that Bhalla was in breach of both the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Under this legislation, Bhalla was required to ensure that a safe system of work was in place when emptying oil from the fryer, and to provide employees with health and safety training.

During the investigation, there was no documentation found to reflect these requirements.

The court also heard how Bhalla was required by law to provide personal protective equipment in the form of safety footwear to employees.

During the investigation, he confirmed that the need to wear safety footwear had been identified due to slippery floors at the premises – but there was still none provided.

Cllr David Poole, cabinet member with responsibility for public protection, said: “This incident was totally preventable and demonstrates the importance of ensuring that legislation is complied with in order to protect employees.

“I am pleased that the court has emphasised the seriousness of this case in the level of fine it has imposed."