Corporate Manslaughter legislation
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act was given Royal Assent on 26 July 2007 and came into force on 6th April 2008. It is a new landmark in law and the culmination of ten years of campaigning by unions and other groups.
Legal health and safety requirements
Under the Act employees of companies, consumers and other individuals will be offered greater protection against the worst cases of corporate employer negligence as companies and organisations can now be found guilty of corporate manslaughter on the basis they have failed to take their health and safety responsibilities seriously and have been negligent in their duty of care for their workers safety.
The Act applies to companies and other corporate bodies, in the public and private sector, government departments, police forces and certain unincorporated bodies, such as partnerships.
Employer negligence
The Act applies to the organisation itself and not to individual directors, managers or employees. However individuals can still be prosecuted for gross negligence, manslaughter and health and safety offences where there is sufficient evidence to pursue an accident claim.
Guidance on how to avoid health and safety negligence
To support businesses with this new corporate manslaughter act legislation the Institute of Directors and the Health and Safety Executive have published guidance for directors on their legal health and safety requirements. This hse safety guidance is entitled 'Leading health and safety at work: leadership actions for directors and board members'
For smaller businesses the Health and Safety Executive also publishes guidance on good health and safety policy. This hse safety guidance is entitled ‘An introduction to health and safety: health and safety in small businesses’ and their web site also features a 10-point list showing some of the key actions required by law that apply to nearly every business in order to ensure employee safety.
Get more information and purchase staff health & safety training DVDs here
Corporate Manslaughter legislation
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act was given Royal Assent on 26 July 2007 and came into force on 6th April 2008. It is a new landmark in law and the culmination of ten years of campaigning by unions and other groups.
Legal health and safety requirements
Under the Act employees of companies, consumers and other individuals will be offered greater protection against the worst cases of corporate employer negligence as companies and organisations can now be found guilty of corporate manslaughter on the basis they have failed to take their health and safety responsibilities seriously and have been negligent in their duty of care for their workers safety.
The Act applies to companies and other corporate bodies, in the public and private sector, government departments, police forces and certain unincorporated bodies, such as partnerships.
Employer negligence
The Act applies to the organisation itself and not to individual directors, managers or employees. However individuals can still be prosecuted for gross negligence, manslaughter and health and safety offences where there is sufficient evidence to pursue an accident claim.
Guidance on how to avoid health and safety negligence
To support businesses with this new corporate manslaughter act legislation the Institute of Directors and the Health and Safety Executive have published guidance for directors on their legal health and safety requirements. This hse safety guidance is entitled 'Leading health and safety at work: leadership actions for directors and board members'
For smaller businesses the Health and Safety Executive also publishes guidance on good health and safety policy. This hse safety guidance is entitled ‘An introduction to health and safety: health and safety in small businesses’ and their web site also features a 10-point list showing some of the key actions required by law that apply to nearly every business in order to ensure employee safety.
Get more information and purchase staff health & safety training DVDs here