Supermarket probed over ‘unsafe’ work

SAINSBURY’S is being probed over claims shoppers were endangered by “extremely dangerous” construction work.

Pictures taken inside the Central Station branch show a worker hammering shelves without a safety barrier while the store was open to customers.

Tools, including powerful drills, were also pictured strewn across the shop floor.

Newcastle City Council is investigating claims the work breached health and safety laws.

“There was extremely dangerous construction going on inside the shop during trading right next to shoppers,” claimed Dan Browne, who filed the complaint.

“Myself (and) shop staff were all put in immediate serious danger by irresponsible and unsafe construction workers smashing hammers into fridges and shelves whilst inches away from the public.

“The construction workers didn’t even have protective high visibility vests or hats and there wasn’t any segregation or hoardings or barriers.”

He claims he flagged his concerns up with store and station managers during his visit on March 28, before reporting it to the authority.

A council spokesman said: “We have received a complaint about work being carried out at Sainsbury’s in the Central Station. We are investigating.”

Sainsbury’s said it “fully supported” the probe.