The man was working for the pork producer C & K Meats Limited at its site in Potash Lane on Mid Suffolk Business Park when the incident occurred on 12 April 2022.
The Ukrainian national, who was 31 at the time, had been instructed to remove the tails of pigs using hydraulic cutters that were not designed for the task. While following these instructions, he caught his left index finger in the cutting mechanism and partially severed it.
The worker was subsequently taken to hospital where he received further treatment, which included the removal of more of his left index finger.
An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that C & K Meats Limited had failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees by providing equipment that was not suitable for the task.
Internal procedures were in place which identified hydraulic cutters were only to be used to remove the legs of pigs and that trained butchers would undertake the removal of pigs tails with a knife, but the firm failed to implement them.
Training provided for the process of removing pigs tails was also only provided in English, including for workers for whom English may not have been their first language.
C & K Meats Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay £5,513.47 in costs at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Friday 20 June 2025.
Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Jessica Flint said: “This case identified multiple failures by this company while undertaking the very common task of pork processing.
“Trained butchers on site could have safely removed pigs’ tails using a knife, instead of operatives being instructed to use unsuitable hydraulic cutters.”
“The food industry should protect all its staff. This includes its more vulnerable workers, by ensuring clearly understandable training, instruction and information is provided, including to non-English speakers, and that only the most suitable equipment is used for its processes.”
