A new corporate manslaughter bill, published in July, will force senior managers to take health and safety more seriously.

Although it does not mean they will necessarily go to prison if someone dies, the new law will allow the courts to consider an overall picture of how a firm manages its business. If found guilty of the criminal offence of corporate manslaughter (or corporate homicide in Scotland), a firm faces an unlimited fine.

Previously prosecutors had to identify an individual responsible for a death before they could bring a charge of corporate manslaughter, so only a handful of directors of very small firms have been found guilty.

The prospect of a fine and the damage such a conviction could have on a firm"s reputation should ensure board directors pay more than lip service to "health and safety being at the top of every agenda".

The bill will also lift Crown immunity, which means that public sector bodies can also be found guilty of corporate manslaughter.

Source

Construction Manager