Companies need to be aware of Corporate Manslaughter Act's arrival

Companies should review their procedures surrounding health and safety with the imminent arrival of the Corporate Manslaughter Act, one legal expert has warned.

According to lawyers with Glovers Solicitors, the legislation will make it easier to for companies to be prosecuted and face unlimited fines if they are found guilty of committing an offence.

Sikin Andela, partner and employment lawyer at Glovers, said that the introduction of the act does not create any new obligations for employers but brings about a more serious punishment if businesses are caught out.

"For the first time, companies and organisations can be convicted, where serious management failures lead to a gross breach of the duty of care towards an employee and causes a person's death," she stated.

According to the details of the act, which comes into force on April 6th, health and safety legislation includes transport on road, rail, river, sea, air and food safety as well as workplace health and safety.

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