Essex councils join HSE in 'myth busting' - October 15, 2008

County councils across Essex have joined a scheme in an attempt to dismiss myths about health and safety.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be co-ordinating the efforts to prevent these misconceptions "undermining" the effect of [read more...]

Good leadership 'required for workplace safety' - September 25, 2008

Reducing health and safety risks in the workplace requires good leadership, an expert says.

Training and consultancy manager for Norwich Union Risk Services John Phillips states those in a company responsible for its health and safety policies [read more...]

Firework death case adjourned - September 2, 2008

The hearing into a workplace manslaughter case after two firemen died in an explosion in a fireworks factory has been adjourned.

Martin Winter, the establishment's owner, and his son, Nathan, have been charged with two counts of manslaughter following an explosion [read more...]

Equity fines for corporate accountability - August 26, 2008

A politician suggests judges should tie fines for death and injury to company's share prices to increase corporate accountability, a source says.

Bill Wilson, a member of the Scottish National Party, made the proposals, the Herald reports.

Mr Wilson claims judges rarely [read more...]

Employee health and safety 'must move up firms' priority list' - August 22, 2008

The implications of the new Corporate Manslaughter Act are "impossible to predict", however businesses must ensure staff wellbeing is one of their top priorities, one industry figure has claimed.

Writing for SMEweb.com, Pierre-Emmanuel Tetaz, managing director of Etap-on-line, claims the new [read more...]

Company director admits manslaughter charge - July 31, 2008

The director of a construction company has admitted the manslaughter of a migrant worker who died on one of his sites.

Sharaz Butt was charged with the killing of Wu Zhu Weng after an investigation by police and health and safety [read more...]

Convictions 'will be easier under Corporate Manslaughter Act' - July 24, 2008

The new Corporate Manslaughter Act will make it easier for prosecutors to secure a conviction against employers, one expert has claimed.

Ian Mayers, a partner at law firm Mills and Reeve, told The Business the law removes obstacles that had previously [read more...]

Council to invest in health and safety officers - July 10, 2008

Thurrock Council is to appoint four health and safety officials to ensure the workplace wellbeing of its staff is maintained at all times, it has been reported.

According to the Thurrock Gazette, the local authority will spend £130,000 a year on [read more...]

Corporate manslaughter laws spark body armour fears - July 7, 2008

New corporate manslaughter laws are leading councils to buy body armour for local government staff, the Guardian reports.

Concerned about corporate accountability for safety, hospital trusts and local authorities are supplying stab- and bullet-proof vests for A&E and hospital staff, teachers, [read more...]

New act will lead to more prosecutions - June 27, 2008

The Corporate Manslaughter Act will lead to more companies being successfully prosecuted for health and safety breaches, according to industry figures.

It comes after the news that the owner of a fireworks depot and his son are to face trial accused [read more...]