Big Fines and Jail - New Health and Safety Laws
The days when employers would face a slap on the wrist when an employee is injured or killed at work are soon to become a thing of the past. The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill is winding its way through parliament and looks set to come into law.
Fines that courts may hand down for most offences will be raised four-fold from the current £5,000 up to £20,000. These fines will relate to such areas as not making a proper risk assessment or the correct and effective inspection of work equipment.
In addition, employers could face prison sentences for the same offences. This new legislation is intended to back up earlier corporate manslaughter law changes.
Parliament was told that in the year 2006-07 the Health and Safety Executive pursued prosecutions against 1,140 employers that was an increase of 10% on the previous year. Of those charged nearly 850 were convicted, under the proposed new laws some of those would have seen the inside of a prison cell.
Whatever the details of the legislation the writing is clearly on the executive bathroom wall. There will be heavier fines and some will be made an example of and spend time eating porridge instead of expense account lunches.
Employers, now more than ever need to arm themselves with the right advice and training though the direction of experts in the field. Workplace Law Training run a highly regarded NEBOSH course that could be just the ticket for you.
