Aldi has been fined £1 million following an accident which saw a delivery driver fracture all the toes on his left foot, leading to two being amputated.
On Friday, the budget retailer pleaded guilty in Derby Crown Court to two offences relating to health and safety breaches and has been forced to pay out a substantial fine, according to The Derby Telegraph.
On his second week working for the grocer, the victim sustained the injuries while operating a powered pallet truck.
The retailer was accused of providing insufficient training, relying on new drivers “shadowing other drivers before they started working alone”.
The incident happened at Aldi‘s Somercotes store in 2013, and has been the subject of a lengthy investigation by Amber Valley Borough Council’s Regulation Unit.
“Council officers worked hard on this investigation, over many months, and found Aldi’s training ought to have had a more formal structure,” Amber Valley councilor David Taylor said.
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“The level of fine reflects the seriousness of the failings within the company. This investigation and outcome will hopefully result in a renewed focus by Aldi to ensure that standards are maintained to ensure employees receive adequate protection from the risk of injury.”
The victim has since returned to work but a spokesperson said: “His injuries have left him with pain that will have repercussions in years to come and can be considered life-changing.”
A spokesperson for Aldi, which is also required to pay £70,000 in costs, said: “The safety of our employees and customers is of paramount importance to Aldi.
“This isolated accident occurred more than three years ago. We are absolutely committed to maintaining health and safety procedures and training that ensure Aldi is a safe place to for our employees and customers.”
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