New Bill A Step closer to safer workplaces

The Transport and General Workers Union, one of the UK's biggest general unions, today (Wednesday, March 23rd, 2005) welcomed the publication of the long-awaited draft corporate manslaughter bill. The T&G, working with construction union Ucatt, has been leading the campaign for new laws on corporate manslaughter and directors' responsibilities.

"These proposals are a significant step towards safer workplaces. Last year 235 workers were killed at work in this country and workplace deaths actually rose by four percent. Reform of the law is therefore long overdue," said T&G general secretary Tony Woodley.

"We are particularly pleased to see that the proposals will also apply to the Crown. As the largest employer in the land, it is vital that the government sets the lead on workplace health and safety. But we need to take care that the proposed exclusions for the Crown do not mean that the existing anomaly is removed only to be replaced by others."

The union also expressed concern that the draft Bill does not require directors to take positive steps on health and safety. This could mean that the courts will not be able to apply the new offence of corporate manslaughter in instances where individual company directors have neglected to maintain safe workplaces.

"The draft Bill is a chance to ensure that health and safety is taken more seriously in the boardroom, that workers' health is protected through a culture of prevention and that justice is done when tragedies do occur", added Tony Woodley.

"We will therefore be pressing for the Bill to be amended to deliver this as it passes through Parliament."

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates up to 70 per cent of workplace deaths are the result of serious management failures yet only 5 directors have been imprisoned for corporate manslaughter in the history of British law.

Press Release, T&G Workers Union, 23rd March, 2005

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