A worker at Tesco Metro on Magdalen Street, Oxford, suffered life-changing injuries after a roll cage trolley collapsed on him while unloading a delivery lorry.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, when Piotr Grzela, a staff member at the store, was unloading stock from the vehicle. The roll cage trolley, filled with juice cartons, suddenly became unstable and toppled over. Mr. Grzela was pinned beneath the heavy load, sustaining severe injuries.
He suffered two serious open fractures in his legs, severed blood vessels, and a fractured wrist. Emergency services were called to the scene, but first aid was provided by a nearby nightclub staff member, as no Tesco first aiders were on duty at the time.
Safety Failures Questioned
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding Tesco’s safety procedures. According to store guidelines, roll cage trolleys must be moved by two people. However, Mr. Grzela was moving the trolley by himself. It has since been revealed that neither he nor other staff members had received the necessary training for safely handling the equipment.
Witnesses reported that the trolley crushed Mr. Grzela against the pavement, causing him to collapse in extreme pain. There were no trained first-aid responders on the Tesco staff, leaving a passerby from a local nightclub to provide initial assistance until paramedics arrived.
Tesco Under Scrutiny
Tesco’s failure to ensure proper safety measures are in place has sparked criticism. Workplace safety experts have stressed that incidents like this could be prevented with adequate training and adherence to safety guidelines.
“Proper training and supervision are critical when dealing with equipment like roll cage trolleys,” said a spokesperson for a local health and safety group. “It is alarming that an organisation of Tesco’s size didn’t enforce its own safety policies.”
The accident has highlighted gaps in staff training at the Oxford branch, where employees were reportedly unaware of the specific guidance regarding the use of heavy equipment.
No Comment from Tesco
Tesco has not yet responded to requests for comment. It remains unclear whether the company plans to review its safety protocols following the incident.
Mr. Grzela is recovering from his injuries, but his condition remains serious. It is expected that he will require extensive rehabilitation before being able to return to work.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently investigating the incident, with the possibility of legal action against Tesco for breaching safety regulations.
