A FIRM specialising in frozen desserts has been fined £50,000 after the manager director’s mother fell through fragile ceiling tiles.

The woman, who was working at Indulgence Patisserie Ltd, in Clough Road, Colchester, had been asked to sort out shoes which were stored on a floor next to an unprotected area of fragile ceiling tiles.

She fell through the precarious tiles approximately 2.7m and suffered serious pelvic injuries, following the accident on January 8 last year.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the company had not implemented control measures for employees working near the tiles.

Indulgence Patisserie admitted to breaching working at height regulations at Basildon Magistrates’ Court and has been fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £5,151.50 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jessica Churchyard said companies had an obligation to protect their staff.

She said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well-known.

“Working on or near fragile surfaces should be properly assessed and managed. This case highlights the importance for companies to assess and control risks created by non-routine tasks.”

The firm manufactures high quality desserts for supermarkets, restaurants and food service markets at home and abroad.

Managing director Angus Allan confirmed the employee at the family business was his mother, who has since made a full recovery and has returned to work.

He said: “Despite investing more than £80,000 per annum and employing specialists to help us ensure we maintained the highest possible health and safety standards on site, we accepted in court our conduct in this matter fell below the relevant safety standard.

“Since the accident, we have invested, and will continue to invest, additional resources into our health and safety systems and staff training.

“My mother’s accident was an awful event and the past two years have been a stressful time for all of us.

“We would encourage other businesses to review their health and safety systems to make certain that they are fit-for-purpose.”