Belfast supermarket fined £100,000 after worker dies following workplace fall

Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket, Belfast

A Belfast supermarket has been fined £100,000 after pleading guilty to health and safety offences linked to a fatal workplace accident involving one of its employees.

Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday 1 May 2026 following the death of warehouse operative Mr Wei Wang, who died days after sustaining injuries in a fall at the premises.

Fatal workplace accident

The incident occurred on 15 August 2023 at the company’s site on Donegall Pass in south Belfast.

Mr Wang suffered injuries after a fall at the workplace and died four days later as a result.

His death prompted an investigation by Belfast City Council’s Health and Safety Unit into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the conditions within the business.

Court outcome and financial penalty

Following the investigation, Lee Feng Ltd, trading as Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket at 98-108 Donegall Pass, pleaded guilty to health and safety at work offences.

At Belfast Magistrates Court, the company was fined a total of £100,000 and ordered to pay additional costs of £5,000.

The case highlights the legal responsibilities placed on employers to ensure the safety of staff in the workplace and the serious consequences when those duties are not met.

Failures in supervision identified

Investigators found that there were failings in the supervision of employees at the supermarket.

These shortcomings led to unsafe work practices which were allowed to continue unchecked, ultimately contributing to the conditions that resulted in the fatal incident.

The findings underline the importance of proper oversight, training and enforcement of safety procedures in working environments, particularly in roles involving manual handling or warehouse operations.

Wider implications for workplace safety

The outcome of the case serves as a stark reminder to businesses across Northern Ireland of the need to maintain rigorous health and safety standards.

Employers are required by law to identify risks, implement safe systems of work and ensure staff are adequately supervised at all times.

Failures in these areas can not only lead to enforcement action and significant financial penalties, but can also have devastating human consequences.

The case concludes with a substantial fine and clear findings from investigators, reinforcing the expectation that workplace safety must remain a priority for all employers to prevent further tragedies.

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At a glance

• Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket fined £100,000 at Belfast Magistrates Court

• Additional £5,000 costs imposed

• Case relates to death of warehouse worker Mr Wei Wang

• Incident occurred on 15 August 2023 following a fall at the workplace

• Mr Wang died four days later from his injuries

• Investigation carried out by Belfast City Council’s Health and Safety Unit

• Failings in employee supervision identified

• Unsafe work practices were allowed to go unchecked

• Company pleaded guilty to health and safety at work offences