No Hiding From Corporate Manslaughter

Publicity Order will cast a public spotlight on health and safety failings.

By News Desk
15th October 2007 at 10:06

April 2008 will see the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.  Most businesses have now recognised that under this new legislation it will be much easier for an organisation to be convicted of manslaughter for work-related deaths – something which hasn’t always been the case.

Croner today point out, however, that Section 10 of the act requires that any company convicted of corporate manslaughter discloses its conviction in the public domain, as well as the details of the offence, the amount of any fine and the improvements it has been ordered to make to its health and safety culture. 

As Stephen Thomas of Croner says:

With the legislation only months away, we?re warning businesses that do not meet current health and safety standards and those with a poor safety culture to start restructuring and implementing the appropriate policies now.

Croner offers the following advice for businesses examining their health and safety position ahead of April’s law change:

 

  • Remember that a good culture, safety or otherwise, starts from the top! Appoint and provide assistance to a Health and Safety Director, who will need to ensure health and safety concerns, performance indicators, targets and failures are communicated to the Board.
  • Make sure that health and safety management systems accurately reflect the company?s activities.
  • Actively involve senior managers to act as motivators for all levels of management (by maintaining their interest through participation) and for employees (by demonstrating management?s commitment to their well-being).
  • Allocate health and safety responsibilities to all levels of staff to create a sense of ownership regarding the companies overall health and safety standards.
  • Encourage communication between all levels in spoken, written and visible pathways.
  • Implementing health and safety measures need not be costly ? it can save you money not only in the avoidance of fines, penalties etc. but in tangible business benefits such as increased performance, reduction in lost time, reduced insurance premiums and a healthier, happier workforce.

Commenting Is Easy

Do you have an opinion on this news item? Have something to add that others might find helpful? Then please leave a comment in the box below.

If you'd like to have your image included next to your comments here, then you can set yourself up with an avatar in just a couple of clicks.

Leave a comment

Related Posts

Photostream

Listen to the sales podcast for SMEs Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

BUSINESS PODCASTS

Click on one of the play buttons to listen to inspirational interviews with entrepreneurs from SmallBizPod.

SmallBizPod #64 - British Library, Facebook and Startups

SmallBizPod #64 - British Library, Facebook and Startups

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #72 - Michael Gerber podcast - dreaming big with the E-Myth author

SmallBizPod #72 - Michael Gerber podcast - dreaming big with the E-Myth author

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #70 - Jagriti Yatra - a great entrepreneurial journey

SmallBizPod #70 - Jagriti Yatra - a great entrepreneurial journey

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #53 - Podcast with Jennifer Irvine of Pure Package

SmallBizPod #53 - Podcast with Jennifer Irvine of Pure Package

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #58 - Who Is Afraid Of The Female Entrepreneur?

SmallBizPod #58 - Who Is Afraid Of The Female Entrepreneur?

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #90 - interview with Sunil Kadri of Optoswim, the fish gym entrepreneur

SmallBizPod #90 - interview with Sunil Kadri of Optoswim, the fish gym entrepreneur

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now

PARTNER PROMOTIONS

If looking to boost your businesses performance with promotional marketing, travel incentives or incentive schemes get it touch with NDL Group