Tougher Penalties For Health And Safety Law Breakers In Force January 2009

Readers of this website will know that last month new legislation regarding health and safety offences penalties received Royal Assent.

The Heath and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 has received Royal Assent and the Act, which covers Great Britain and Northern Ireland, will come into force in January 2009. 

The new legislation which amends Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act will substantially increase penalties and provide courts with far greater sentencing powers to deal with offenders who flout health and safety legislation. details of which were listed here last month.

Commenting this week, the CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce said “The changes introduced in this Act sends a clear message to those employers that neglecting health and safety regulation is not acceptable and will be punished appropriately. Hopefully the Act will promotes better legal protection of all workers and send out the message that society's increasing unwilling to tolerate serious harm or injury to workers."

Health and Safety Minister Lord McKenzie said “The objective behind the changes is that sentences for health and safety offences be sufficient to deter those tempted to break the law, and sufficient to deal appropriately with those who do commit health and safety offences. It is generally accepted that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low. By extending the maximum fines and making Jail sentences for blameworthy health and safety offences this will reflect the severity of such crimes.”

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said "The new Act sends out an important message to those who flout the law. The HSE Enforcement policy targets those employers who cut corners, fail to comply with health and safety law and who put workers and the public at risk.”

Source: CWU