CTOKOS Blog

The UK has a very poor health and safety record. Most accidents and health issues occur while people are at work and some of these are fatal leading to a loss of livelihood and in some cases even loss of life. There have been some laws such as the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act of 2007 which have been passed and are in effect since early 2008, to deal with health and safety issues faced by workers. These laws, however, are inadequate and do not make health and safety an employer’s duty. They simply addressed offences that employers had committed knowingly or unknowingly and talked about compensation.

These laws were unable to bring about the change that many people have been wanting for quite some time. Many organisations and individuals say that it is the duty of the company’s directors to look after the health and safety issues and they have suggested that they should be legally bound to carry out safety duties.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had introduced a code of practice in 2001 to help businesses deal with health and safety-related issues. The HSE believed that it would be better if companies would follow the directive voluntarily. Business organisations were very enthusiastic about it initially, but most of them are still to follow the HSE’s directive. The HSE now believes that if the situation is to change then enforcing the guidelines would seem like the only solution.

Frank Doran, who has been championing this cause, is an MP from Aberdeen North. He recently presented his Health and Safety bill entitled Company Director’s Liability Bill in a House of Commons hearing. The bill is to get its second hearing on Friday, April 23, 2010. After explaining the situation and presenting all the facts before the house, he said that if his Bill was passed then it would make health and safety the duty of the every company director.

Protecting the health and safety of employees or members of the public who may be affected by your activities is an essential part of risk management. The health and safety consultants from Workplace Law can assist managers and supervisors in all they need to know to help handle health and safety in their teams, and to help their organisation find the best ways to lead and promote health and safety, and therefore meet its legal obligations.