Blog
14 Maternity Trusts to be Scrutinised as Part of National Investigation
Kirsty Allen
30 March 2017
Thames Water receives record £20m fine for polluting rivers
On 22 March 2017, Thames Water was ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to over £20m for six separate water pollution incidents on the River Thames and its tributaries.
3 November 2016
Increased prosecutions of individuals and more prison sentences in health and safety cases
The FT reported at the end of October that the number of company directors and senior managers prosecuted for health and safety offences has shown a marked increase. Figures obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that in the year to 31 March 2016, 46 company directors and senior managers were prosecuted for health and safety offences. In earlier years the equivalent numbers were 15 (2015), 23 (2012), and 31 (2011).
31 March 2016
Construction sector: MPs debate fatal accidents
The construction industry was under scrutiny on 23 March in a Parliamentary debate led by Labour MP Stephen Hepburn. Highlighting the high level of deaths in the sector - 35 deaths last year were cited - there was a call for a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) “that is effective and dedicated to protecting workers”. MPs called for better resourcing of the HSE, an increase in proactive site inspections and reduction in the length of time it takes for cases to be brought to trial.
15 March 2016
Health Care sector feels brunt of new rules
Last month saw the first corporate manslaughter case sentenced under the new guidelines. As the case involved a care home, it was also the first conviction for corporate manslaughter in that sector.
3 November 2015
Corporate manslaughter, health and safety and food safety sentencing guidelines published
As predicted by my colleague Jonathan Grimes last week, the new definitive sentencing guideline on corporate manslaughter, health and safety and food safety (published today and effective in any case sentenced on or after 1 February 2016), allows for significantly greater fines to be imposed on convicted companies.
