RETAIL giant Argos has been fined £16,000 after a worker from its Bury store fell through the roof of the staff toilets.

Bury magistrates heard how, in November last year, Richard Chesters (17) climbed on the soft roof of the staff toilets to retrieve a customer order which had been stored there due to lack of space in the warehouse.

Mr James Parry, prosecuting, told the court on Thursday how the youngster, who was working as a Christmas "temp" and had been at the store for three weeks, climbed up using a ladder but tripped on a box. When he tried to steady himself, he tripped again on the ledge and fell more than two metres through the roof.

No health and safety officer was working on the day and he was taken to Fairfield Hospital where he was treated for a fractured wrist.

Argos, on Angouleme Way, pleaded guilty to three charges brought by Bury Council for health and safety violations.

It was charged with breaching rules under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and Health, Safety and Welfare regulations.

Mr Michael Shepherd, defending, told the court that Argos accepted it had been at fault by failing to make a specific risk assessment about the soft roof but argued that Argos had previously acknowledged risks were involved in storing stock on the roof by instructing only senior members of staff to bring the stock down.

He stated the store accepted that Mr Chesters should not have been put in that situation but reminded the court that instructions were given to all members of staff during health and safety training not to climb over the top step of the ladder, which is what Mr Chesters would have had to do to get onto the roof.

He added the same training was given to both permanent and temporary staff and any workers under the age of 18 were to be subjected to increased supervision.

Mr Shepherd said: "This was an isolated incident and the Bury store has not yet reported any accidents so far this year. The store fully co-operated with the investigation."

The court heard that steps have since been taken by Argos to ensure the accident is not repeated.

Storage above the toilets was immediately prohibited and staff were warned via memos sent across the country to be careful of the risks. Physical barriers were also erected with warning notices put in place.

Mr Chesters was awarded an undisclosed amount in damages in a separate civil case.

In addition to the fine, Argos was ordered to pay more than £2,300 in costs.