News

Tulip, the Norfolk-based meat processor and packaging company, has been fined more than £250,000 for "several" breaches of health and safety regulations.

In the first offence, Tulip employee Michael Warnes had three fingers amputated in a thermoforming machine used for sealing plastic bacon packaging.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the machine was not adequately guarded and Tulip was found to be in breach of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

A second employee, Korim Richardson, suffered a severe electric shock while changing a light fitting at the same site on Caxton Way, Thetford. The electrical surge caused him to swing back with his ladder and crack bones in his shoulder.

This incident breached section 4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Tulip broke the rules a third time when it allowed staff and contractors from Ecolab to access wooden walkways over a suspended ceiling at the site, which did not have full guardrails. Staff and contractors risked falling 60ft through the ceiling to the production floor.

Tulip was found to have breached section 4(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Ecolab was sentenced at an earlier hearing.

HSE inspector Steve Gill said: "The company has exposed its employees to potentially dangerous situations and HSE will not hesitate to take action against those who fall short of the law in such a way."

Norwich Crown Court imposed a £265,000 fine with £21,653.35 costs.

Nobody was available from Tulip to comment this morning (29 May).

Tulip is part of Danish Crown, the manufacturer and processor of meat products with production plants throughout Europe.

Brands include Danish Prime, Tenderpork, Danepak and Plumrose.