The Corporate Manslaughter Act

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, was introduced on 6 April 2008 and is a landmark in law. For the first time companies can now be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of a duty of care.

Directors and senior managers face an increased likelihood of personal fines under existing health and safety legislation. The act also makes the company liable for heavy fines together with other sanctions.

We have produced a question and answer list to help companies understand the impact of the new act. The Department of Justice website helps you understand its impact and what the changes mean to your company. Alternatively you can visit the Health & Safety Executive website for the answers to some frequently asked questions.

We have a range of health and safety at work courses that take you through the safe systems appropriate to your job. There’s the Risk assessment course for health and safety managers with an online assessment plus Managing safely for managers and Working safely for company employees. Please call 08700 10 49 50 for further information on these and our other health and safety courses near you.