Day 121 - 04 May 95 - Page 35


     
     1        know where it was coming from.
     2
     3   Q.   Forgot Southend completely, but if sewage -----
     4        A.  They knew it was sewage -- close the restaurant, get
     5        rid of it.  No question.
     6
     7   MS. STEEL:  If pipes burst above the kitchen area of the store
     8        and there was about quarter of an inch of water all over
     9        the floor of the kitchen area, what would you expect to
    10        happen in those circumstances?
    11        A.  It would depend upon what the cause was.
    12
    13   Q.   Would you expect the store to be closed immediately?
    14        A.  No, not necessarily; it depends upon whether there is
    15        any danger.
    16
    17   Q.   Do you think it is safe for staff to work with a quarter of
    18        an inch of water on the floor in the kitchen area?
    19        A.  I would find it highly undesirable, but I have never
    20        known it happen ---
    21
    22   Q.   Do you think it is safe?
    23        A.  -- Apart from that one thing.
    24
    25   Q.   Do you think it is safe?
    26        A.  I do not know.  It depends upon the circumstances.
    27
    28   Q.   So you think sometimes it could be safe to work -----
    29        A.  No, I cannot answer that question.
    30
    31   Q.   Do you think it could sometimes be safe to work in a
    32        kitchen area with hot fat, hot vats and electrical
    33        equipment when you have a quarter of an inch of water on
    34        the floor?
    35        A.  It depends upon where the water comes from, where it
    36        is, what it is.  I cannot answer that question.  It has
    37        never happened, to my knowledge, apart from that one
    38        occasion.
    39
    40   Q.   So it would not concern you then -- sorry.
    41
    42   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You say "so" at the beginning as if it
    43        follows on from his previous answer that it would not
    44        concern him which it does not.  By all means, ask would it
    45        concern him.  He says he just cannot say whether it would
    46        be safe on the information you have given him.
    47
    48   MS. STEEL:  So it would not automatically concern you then if
    49        you walked in and found a quarter of an inch of water all
    50        over the floor? 
    51        A.  Of course it would concern me.   I would want to know 
    52        where it came from. 
    53
    54   Q.   Right, but it would not concern you to the point where you
    55        would say:  "Stop right now.  Stop working right now"?
    56        A.  I cannot imagine -- I cannot answer that question.  It
    57        has never happened.  It has never occurred.  If I walked
    58        into a restaurant and there was a quarter of an inch of
    59        water on the floor, I would say:  "Where is this from?" and
    60        I would expect an answer.

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