Monday, 28 April 2008

New - corporate manslaughter offence

How many small and medium sized businesses are aware that there have been legislative changes resulting in a new offence in corporate manslaughter?

Thanks to my network of contacts, I have received an article on the changes written by JM Safety First (http://www.jmsafety.co.uk/).

From 6th April 2008 firms may be found guilty of a new offence of corporate manslaughter. This offence relates to the most serious instances of management failure leading to a death and therefore is considered to be more serious than an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act involving death. The Sentencing Advisory Panel (SAP) - an independent body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice proposed that the starting level for fines should be 5% of annual turnover, based on an average over three years. Under the act courts may actually impose an unlimited fine, a publicity order and/or a remedial order.

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