Health and safety breaches will result in tougher sentences

Categories: General Health and Safety |


Health and safety breaches will result in tougher sentences Employers found to be in breach of health and safety regulations could find that that they face a prison sentence now that new laws have been passed.

The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 received royal assent last week and it increases the maximum fine to £20,000.

There are also an increased number of offences for which bosses can be imprisoned and it will come into practice in January 2009.

Judith Hackett, chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), commented: "I want to remind businesses that there are no changes to their existing legal duties and that important safeguards are in place to ensure these new powers will be used sensibly."

She added that the aim of the enforcement policy is to target those who cut corners and get a financial or commercial advantage by ignoring or bypassing health and safety legislation.

Firms wishing to avoid falling foul of the new laws and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 should ensure that workers are provided with safety gear such as hi vis clothing and spill kits where appropriate.
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