HEALTH & SAFETY PENALTIES REFORM

April 2008

Source : SHP March 2008

 MP’s have continued their efforts to have the level of health and safety offences raised.

The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill has now passed its second reading (01st February 2008) and would stiffen penalties by:

• Raising the maximum fines imposed in the lower courts, which is currently set at £5,000, for most health and safety offences.  The proposal is that these fines would be raised to £20,000.
• Making imprisonment an option in both higher and lower courts for most health and safety offences.
• Allowing two offences, that can currently only be tried lower courts, to also be tried in the higher courts.  These offences are:
  • Contravening any requirement imposed by an inspector
  • Preventing a person from appearing before an inspector or from answering their questions.

There has been opposition against the proposed Bill as it is thought that:

“the effects of the Bill could be more extensive than intended, or, as often happens with new legislation, there could be unintended practical or financial consequences”.
Tory MP Angela Watkinson

There has been a good argument to introduce the Bill as part of the governments ‘Better Regulation’ area.  It is expected that the Bill has a high chance of becoming law owing to its support from MP’s across most parties.  The Bill will now be addressed by a Public Bill Committee.

For more information about developing safe systems of work please do not hesitate to contact me on my mobile or by e-mail.