E-mail this to a friendHSE issues warning to firms over new corporate manslaughter laws
Published 02/04/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to companies over the impending Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill 2007, which is due to come into effect this month.
According to the organisation, a large number of businesses are not prepared for the changes and are therefore vulnerable to prosecution.
It stated that if a company lacks the correct number or appropriate category of first aider, it will be "at serious risk".
"Should a fatality in the workplace occur, the onus will now be placed on the individual organisation to prove that an effective health and safety policy exists, is clearly communicated and competently implemented," the HSE added.
It went on to say that any gaps in training records would be considered to be a serious breach in the duty of care.
The HSE aims to ensure that risks to people's health that arise as a result of work activities are properly controlled.
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