One killed at work almost every working day in Britain

Workplace deaths have seen over 3500 people killed in the past decade, and less than 40 employers and directors have been prosecuted with manslaughter as a result.

Figures rose in 2006/7 to 241 deaths, an increase of 24 people from the previous year, which is the equivalent of 0.9 deaths every working day. These figures show that until now, necessary precautions had not being put into place to prevent these accidents, and few companies have been prosecuted for this.

Studies show that 73% of firms do not know what health and safety cover their insurance provides and 46% have made staff aware of their health and safety policies but are failing to ensure these policies are being implemented into the workplace.

Current laws do not provide employees with the necessary protection for workplace deaths. The present law only allows organisations to be convicted of manslaughter if an individual at the top of the company is personally guilty. This prevents businesses being prosecuted when there are gross failures in the management of health and safety which lead to death.

The new Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which comes into force on 6th April, will deliver a new, more effective basis for corporate liability. It will hold directors and senior managers liable for prosecution for a fatal accident which could have been prevented through correct management of health and safety.

In October 1999, two directors of Roy Bowles Transport Ltd were convicted on manslaughter of two men who died two years prior. They were killed in a seven car pile up on the M25, when a lorry driver, employed by Roy Bowles Transport Ltd, fell asleep at the wheel. It was heard that the driver in question, and other drivers at the firm, worked very long hours to the directors’ knowledge. The directors were sentenced to a 15 and 12 month suspended prison sentence.

Main causes of workplace deaths include transport accidents, which were the cause of 66 deaths alone in 2007. It is estimated that one third of road accidents involve a company vehicle, or a driver employed on company business. Other causes include falling from height, being hit by a moving vehicle, struck by a moving or falling object and contact with electricity.

These studies show the importance of the new Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which will allow directors to be prosecuted if the correct Health and Safety procedures have not been put in place. Prosecution can result in an unlimited fine, and possible imprisonment, and will have a much faster effect than previous laws.

Companies who are not prepared for the new law are at risk from this month. t2 business solutions, training and business support company, have prepared a one-day open course for all directors and senior managers in charge of Health and Safety within the company.

t2’s Corporate Manslaughter course is delivered by a legal trainer and practicing magistrate with over a decades experience in the field. The course will give insight into the new law, and the precautions that are necessary to keep the company and employees safe. It will include real life case studies, the law surrounding the Corporate Manslaughter Act, understanding senior management responsibilities, and a Health and Safety refresher.

Held at t2 business solutions head office in Cardiff, the course will help directors understand how a prosecutor views a corporate manslaughter case, identifying if your organisation is at risk, and to what extent, and will help you minimise your liability.

Rob Marr, Managing Director of t2 business solutions said: “With the new law coming into force soon, t2 thought it was important to keep companies up to date with the changes. The open course will give directors and senior managers the opportunity to learn how to keep their company and employees safe.

“Corporate Manslaughter is not something to be taken lightly, and many businesses are not aware of the dangers surrounding them. The open course, at our head office in Cardiff, will be presented by a specialist in Health and Safety and Employment Law. t2 hopes that this course will provide the knowledge required to create a safe working environment.”

t2’s first Corporate Manslaughter Open Course will run on 30th April and will cost only £155 per delegate. The course is also available as an in-house training course.

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