Corporate Manslaughter act introduced today
April 7, 2008
The Corporate Manslaughter Act, a new piece of legislation designed to make it easier for companies to be prosecuted accused of causing death through health and safety negligence, has come into force today.
Under the new laws, a company will face action where a serious breach in health and safety management procedures means that the duty of care is not met and a fatality occurs.
Proof is no longer needed that a single senior official was to blame, only that senior management played a role.
The new laws mean government bodies will be liable for prosecution and companies could lose up to ten per cent of their annual turnover if found guilty of neglect.
Speaking to u.tv.com, Tom Wilson of the Freight Transport Association, said: "The more negligence that can be found the bigger the fine, so really it could be bad enough to put a company out of business if their systems are not up to scratch. "
According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 241 employees killed at work during 2006-07, with a further 240,000 staff suffering reportable injuries.
Find out more about Corporate Manslaughter
Under the new laws, a company will face action where a serious breach in health and safety management procedures means that the duty of care is not met and a fatality occurs.
Proof is no longer needed that a single senior official was to blame, only that senior management played a role.
The new laws mean government bodies will be liable for prosecution and companies could lose up to ten per cent of their annual turnover if found guilty of neglect.
Speaking to u.tv.com, Tom Wilson of the Freight Transport Association, said: "The more negligence that can be found the bigger the fine, so really it could be bad enough to put a company out of business if their systems are not up to scratch. "
According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 241 employees killed at work during 2006-07, with a further 240,000 staff suffering reportable injuries.
Find out more about Corporate Manslaughter
More Corporate manslaughter news:
Good leadership 'required for workplace safety' - September 25, 2008Firework death case adjourned - September 2, 2008
Equity fines for corporate accountability - August 26, 2008
Employee health and safety 'must move up firms' priority list' - August 22, 2008
Company director admits manslaughter charge - July 31, 2008
