Companies 'must not disregard' corporate manslaughter legislation

Date: 9th June 2008

Many businesses in the UK could be vulnerable to large fines if they disregard recently implemented corporate manslaughter legislation, it has been claimed.

Phil Brown writes in Personnel Today that firms should take all possible steps to ensure they are operating within the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.

According to Mr Brown, many managers are sidelining safety induction training and record keeping due to the increasing size of their workloads.

Those companies found guilty of breaching health and safety laws could face fines of up to ten per cent of their annual turnover, if the recommendations of an advisory panel are implemented.

"Systems can enable new-starter checklists to be automatically created for all new employees, and these can be accessed by both managers and HR, making it easier for companies to ensure mandatory safety induction training is carried out," said Mr Brown.

Bytestart, business advice website, recently reported that more firms look set to face prosecution under the new corporate manslaughter laws.