Archive for February, 2008
Recent Legal Ruling Sets A Precedent
Monday, February 18th, 2008
A recent ruling at the Court of Appeal on the criminal liability of directors will have implications for company directors,as well as those enforcing health and safety law. Michael Atkins from HSE’s Legal Adviser’ Office explains:”We were prosecuting a company director over the death of a six-year-old. Before the trial defence lawyers wanted [...]
Additional fines set to face Company Directors
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
Launching the new guidelines, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission Judith Hackett, stressed the importance of boardroom engagement with the issue. She said ” To improve our safety record we need strong and committed leadership that focuses on the real causes of harm in the workplace”
In addition to fines under the Corporate Manslaughter [...]
Corporate Manslaughter Act set for April 2008
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
The Corporate Manslaughter Act, which comes into force in April 2008, was described by Open University law professor as; “one of the biggest legislative changes to corporate responsibility since the principles of the modern company were crystalilised in 1373.” In November the Sentencing Advisory Panel proposed that firms convicted of the new offence could [...]
Health & Safety Enforcements on the rise
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
The number of enforcement and improvement notices issued against employers by the Health and Safety Executive rose by 20% last year and fines totalling £13m were handed out by the courts to offenders. A HSE spokesperson said ” We do not hesitate to prosecute where necessary and the rising enforcement figures show that negligence in [...]