Hotel group fined after chefs burn themselves from spilled oil

Melbourne restaurant operators have been fined $35,000 after two workers were injured in an oil spill.

One of the chefs was transferring oil from the fryers to a waste disposal facility at The Cheeky Squire in Frankston when she tripped over a crate in January 2021.

The hot oil spilled onto another cook, causing second-degree burns on his legs and minor burns on his back.

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He was taken to the hospital and had to undergo a skin graft.

The woman also suffered minor burns.

A WorkSafe investigation found that employees had been using pots to move hot oil for about two months because the portable filtration system was not working.

The cook who carried the pot had only been working at the Frankston site for four weeks and was unaware the oil filter machine existed.

The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group – which runs The Cheeky Squire – pleaded guilty in Frankston Magistrates Court last week to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment.

The company was fined $35,000 and ordered to pay $4,409 in costs.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Endeavor Group, which operates ALH hotels, said their priority is always the health and safety of team members and customers.

“We regret that this incident has occurred and have taken immediate action to ensure it does not happen again,” the spokesman told AAP.