False excuse         

Summary:

The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Morrisons Supermarkets following the death of an employee with epilepsy. Could the case promote better safety standards for workers with epilepsy, or will it entrench the views of employers who see ‘health and safety’ as a reason not to employ someone with the condition?

In 2023, supermarket chain Morrisons was convicted of three health and safety offences following the death of its employee of 10 years, Matthew Gunn, who had epilepsy. IOSH Magazine described the ensuing £3.5 million fine as ‘a warning to all employers’¹. The Court of Appeal has now upheld the conviction².

Gunn fell down a flight of stairs – which the court inferred was likely due to him having had a seizure – and suffered fatal head injuries. He had been accessing his personal locker, which was located on the first floor. His duties took place on the ground floor. Three months before the incident, the company’s OH adviser suggested that …

Dr John Ballard is editor of Occupational Health [at Work]

Author: Ballard J

Tags death at work disability health and safety reasonable adjustments

Occupational Health at Work October/November 2024 (vol. 21/3) pp03

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