GMB call for HSE to investigate at Kolak Snack Food, West London for not sending seriously injured member to hospital
GMB call for Health and Safety Executive to investigate at Kolak Snack Food, West London for not sending seriously injured member to hospital
The injury was so serious, Pedro is now signed off work until at least 9th August says GMB LondonGMB, the union for workers at Kolak Snack Food, call for an investigation into why a GMB member who was seriously burned at work was sent home in a taxi rather than sent to a local hospital.
Pedro Afonso has worked at Kolak Snack Foods since 2009, currently as a fryer operator for the hand cook area.
Kolak produce crisps, extruded snacks, pellet based snacks, mini poppadums, prawn crackers and popcorn.
Hiten Vaidya, GMB Regional Organiser, said,
“The serious accident took place on 19 July when the GMB member, a machine operator, was asked to clean one of the frying machines when it was still hot.
“Whilst cleaning inside the 4.5ft oil tank, Pedro Afonso slipped, landing on both hands which burnt to the point of him not being able to get up. He was in serious pain and asked the manager to call for an ambulance. Instead, the manager called for a taxi to take Pedro home. His family, seeing what kind of pain he was in took him to Northwick Park hospital where he was treated for severe burns.
“The doctor at Northwick Park asked why there was a delay in getting to the hospital and that as it was a major incident why the company didn’t request an ambulance to take Pedro to hospital.
“Two days later, Pedro returned to the hospital for a change of dressing and the doctor told him that in 30 years of her career she had never seen such a burn injury. He was then referred to the specialist burn unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
“The injury was so serious, Pedro is now signed off work until at least 9th August.
“What has happened here is disgraceful and immoral, Kolak should feel ashamed at how they have treated this serious incident.
"Prior to the accident there was no Personal protective equipment supplied to Pedro, we should ask the question how was this allowed to have happened under management supervision?”
Pedro Afonso, GMB member said,
"I have worked for 8 years for Kolak and dedicated so much of my time and hard work, even an animal has value but not me. Never did I imagine my seniors would treat me like garbage.
"They left me in so much pain without calling the ambulance I have no faith in this company, I have gone through this situation and never do I want any of my colleagues to suffer like this in the future.”
ENDS
Contact: Hiten Vaidya on 07552 120 740 or, GMB London Press Office on 0208 457 4143
