Vacationers in Sellin: chemical burns caused by cleaning agents – lawsuit rejected!

Vacationers in Sellin: chemical burns caused by cleaning agents – lawsuit rejected!

In a frightening incident in March this year, a 62-year-old holidaymaker from Lower Saxony suffered severe chemical burns to his esophagus in a restaurant in Sellin. The attentive reader now asks himself how such an unfortunate event could have happened. The man had accidentally consumed a cleaning product that was incorrectly stored in a beverage container. Such serious false alarms can have fatal consequences, and the incident raises questions about safety in the catering industry.

The public prosecutor then applied for a criminal order against the restaurant owner for serious bodily harm. But the Stralsund district court rejected the application. It could not be clearly proven that the owner was personally responsible for the serious circumstances, which leads to a difficult legal situation. It was also pointed out that the company also had employees who might also have played a role. The public prosecutor's office will therefore decide next Monday whether to appeal against this decision. Uncertainty remains as the incident continues to stir emotions and raise questions about safety.

Chemical hazards

This event is not an isolated case. Chemicals are widely used in the catering and hotel industries. According to a report by hotellerie-gastronomie.ch, caustic cleaning agents, such as pipe, oven and sanitary cleaners, are particularly problematic products. Improper use of these chemicals can cause skin irritation, respiratory damage and even eye irritation. The risk of poisoning due to improper filling should not be underestimated.

The protective measures for the safe handling of such chemicals are therefore extremely important. Good employee training could prove useful, as Suva recommends. Clearly marked containers, the provision of protective clothing and regular checks of safety standards are essential. Safe storage, handling and proper disposal are also the focus here. A training kit on the safeatwork.ch platform also shows how dangerous chemicals should be handled.

Lessons from the incident

This incident in Sellin is a warning signal. He shows that safety concepts in the catering industry urgently need to be reviewed and improved. Such undignified accidents could easily be prevented with proven measures so that guests can enjoy their time without worry. The market demands a safe environment and restaurants must take this responsibility seriously. A good knack for applying safe practices is required to avoid such mishaps in the future.

The discussion about safety in the catering industry will have to be continued. It remains to be seen whether the public prosecutor's office will actually take action against the court's decision. However, one thing is already certain: the safety of guests must always be our top priority so that every visit to a restaurant is truly a pleasure.

For more information on developments in this case, see the original report at NDR and additional security measures hotellerie-gastronomie.ch.