News Article

Queen Backs Corporate Manslaughter Bill


Posted by Carl Gryniewicz | Date Posted 06.09.2007 | Time Posted 02:31:58 | Views: 435

The Houses of Commons and Lords have finally agreed on the details of the new law of corporate manslaughter.

On 23 July the Lords accepted a timeframe of three years for including deaths in police and prison custody within the scope of the legislation – this had been the sticking point for some time.

Royal Assent to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 was granted on 26 July.

Justice minister Maria Eagle said: “For too long it has been virtually impossible to prosecute large companies for management failures leading to deaths. This Act changes this – for the first time, companies and organisations can be found guilty of coprorate manslaughter on the basis of gross corporate failures in health and safety. We are sending out a very powerful deterrent message to those organisations which do not take their health and safety responsibilities seriously.”

IOSH president Lisa Fowlie welcomed the reform but said it could be strengthened in some areas: “For instance, we’d like to see more thought given to innovative penalties for convicted organisations, such as a requirement for lasting health and safety improvement through retraining of senior managers, use of competent health and safety advice, and steps to improve health and safety culture.”

The Act is due to come into force in April next year.


Published in sections: Health and Safety ::

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