CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCING GUIDELINES ISSUED
Definitive guidelines have recently been published to help the courts to punish Companies found guilty of Corporate Manslaughter. Those found guilty can now be given huge fines that should be "rarely less than £500,000" according to the Sentencing Guidelines Council.
It has stated that fines should not be linked to turnover or profit but account must be taken of the financial position of the guilty Company, as well as the impact upon innocent parties such as employees and the potential impact upon public services in the case of Local Authorities or Hospital trusts.
Companies may also be ordered to issue a Publicity Order regarding their crime. This may include press releases and making an announcement on the Company website to explain the offence and the level of fines awarded.
The first prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act involving Geotech Holdings is due to resume in the next few weeks.
Maybe NOW is the time to look at your health and safety management systems and processes to ensure that you are compliant with the law. If you wish to dicuss the implications of this or any other aspect of health and safety Legislation please contact us on 0800 411 8280.
