Accident in Currys store - faulty display

[Jacnpaul]

My wife and I went to the PC World/ Currys store in Brentford to look at purchasing a new dish washer, when she opened the door on one of the integrated appliances the fascia fell off on to her foot.

 

The first member of staff simply stated he wasn't qualified to deal with it and walked off with very little concern, the asst manager came over and looked vague as to how to deal with it having to be prompted for a duty first aider which he stated they don't have in store.

 

When asked for a cold compress he returned with a pack of frozen chips and was concerned about putting them into a Currys carrier bag rather than leave them in the sainsburys bag they were already in. The only help we were offered was in purchasing the dishwasher. He had no idea about an accident book or a HS1 form.

 

We complained to head office due to how it was dealt with and the acknowledgement they were aware the doors were falling off making them negligent in their duty of care. The store manager writes back stating that there was a first aider on duty but when asked why they were not called it was escalated to a Phillipe Sleet (DSG H&S) who stated the store manager was incorrect in his statement in having first aiders and they were in accordance with HSE risk assessments which were completed annually.

 

He has also stated that the store acted in accordance with risk assessments by removing such plinths as a means of rectification to the doors falling off. However he has so far refused to state when that appliance was risk assessed prior to going on the shop floor or when it was first evident that the standard display fascias do not fit safely.

 

They have consistently shown complete apathy towards this clear design fault even though the store staff have admitted they have a problem with the doors not fitting correctly. The concerning factor is this particular unit is sold throughout their network and fitted with the same standard display fascia. They have stated that where significant risks are identified they are recorded.

 

The concerning factor is that if it is heavy enough to cause injury to an adult it could pose a significant risk to injury to a child. DSG and especially Currys Brentford seem to prioritise their sales targets over injuries caused due to store negligence.

 

The only thing we wanted out of this was for them to look into the way risks are identified and handled, and to highlight that cutting corners does not resolve the problem, when they legally have a duty of care towards customers and staff.

 

Head office have shown complete apathy towards this and have now been told by DSG Risks Manager he LOOKS FORWARD TO HEARING FROM OUR SOLICITORS. A bizarre approach when we are not even looking for any recompense, just to make sure this type of incident does not happen again and cause someone a serious injury or worse.

[rebel11]

Hi jacnpaul

 

Welcome to CAG

 

Was the incident logged in the accident book? If not it should have been. If Curry's aren't taking the matter seriously, from what you are saying, 'they just don't care'. If you've got any pics, you could send them to Trading Standards and Health & Safety Executive with your complaint.

 

It seems that Curry's are relying on their annual assessments, rather then carry out necessary Health & Safety checks when they've been made aware of problems. This could potentially cause serious harm to members of the public who visit their stores, as experienced by your wife.

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/

 

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

 

Spaces added to post.

 

http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/trading_standards

[Mr.P]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6173402/Laura-Ashley-fined-after-fireplace-collapses-on-toddler.html - All stores have a duty to conduct risk assessments and take measures to protect the public and employees.

 

One local store and been displaying tree felling axes and sledge hammers on flimsy metal shelves at knee height. No guards to stop items from falling off the shelves, and no protection of sharp edges. A small child running around would have been at risk of serious injury. My county council had a hand in the above Laura Ashley case and quickly dealt with the axes & hammers.

 

If Currys is showing a cavalier attitude towards safety, contact your local council and get them to escalate the issue.

[Jacnpaul]

I intend to take this as far as I can now to highlight the way DSG deals with risks and their failings in duty of care to customers.

 

Whilst the staffing levels may negate the requirement for a trained first aider on site

the legal minimum is an appointed person to take charge in such incidents.

 

This never happened and the asst manager had to be prompted on what to do proving

he was untrained to deal with incidents in store.

 

The annual risk assessments completed as stated by DSG H&S are in accordance with the law.

 

A statement that would be correct if nothing changes but we all know how often fisplay stock is changed.

 

This gives the impression that items can be on display having never been risk assessed in accordance with the law.

 

They refuse to comment on that one.