A FAST-FOOD chain has been fined £12,000 after one of its employees was given an electric shock while at work.

The man was working at the KFC branch, in High Street, Colchester, when the incident occurred.

He was shocked when he went downstairs in the premises and touched flood water which was electrically charged because a live air conditioning unit was on the ground instead of being wall-mounted.

After he was shocked, he flew backwards in the air, before striking his head on a metal wall.
He was taken to Colchester General Hospital immediately, where doctors found abnormalities with his heart rate.

After two and a half hours, he was released and needed no further treatment.

Sentencing KFC, Dr Ilona Perkins-Van Mil, chair of the bench, said: “Although KFC have a number of procedures to prevent such a life-threatening injury, there was clearly a breakdown in the interpretation of the procedures which led to the injury sustained.

“There was a failure to recognise their importance for some months.

“It is more by good fortune that in this case, the injury was not life-threatening.”

David Whiting, mitigating, said it was an isolated incident and nothing like it has occurred since September, 20, 2011.

He added even though the condensing unit had not been condemned by a succession electricians, it was due to be replaced the next day.
“KFC has accepted full responsibility for the incident,” said Mr Whiting.

“The company also accepts it could have been worse.

“It was not a deliberate breach nor did the company put profit before safety.”

KFC representatives appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, and admitted one count of contravening a health and safety regulation.

The company was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £5,876.42 in court costs and a £15 surcharge, which must be paid with in seven days.