HSE prosecutes HP Bulmer Ltd and Nalco Ltd following outbreak at Hereford site, which killed two people
London – The Health and Safety Executive is warning companies to ensure that water storage and cooling systems are adequately treated to prevent the growth of the legionella bacteria. The call comes after HP Bulmer Ltd and Nalco Ltd were fined over an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease at Bulmer’s Cider Mills site in Hereford.
The outbreak, which occurred in 2003, caused the deaths of two people, with the Health Protection Agency attributing a total of 26 cases of legionnaire’s disease to the outbreak. In Hereford Crown Court on 1 July, the companies were each fined £300,000 with costs of £50,000, having previously entered guilty pleas following a HSE investigation into cooling towers at the plant.
