New safety law for UK

Leading construction directors could be in the dock under Government plans to introduce a new corporate manslaughter offence.

The new law will be based on a Law Commission Report published last year which recommended making companies and individual board members liable to prosecution if a management failure results in a fatality. Unlimited fines would accompany the offence.

At present prosecutions can rarely be brought against large companies and their directors because it cannot be shown that those responsible are sufficiently senior to be identified with the company.

The proposed law is part of a drive under the new Government to take a much tougher stand on health and safety issues. Environment Minister Michael Meacher has said current levels of fines are "pathetic".

He wants all major health and safety offences to be dealt with in the Crown Court where larger fines and jail sentences are possible. The Health and Safety Executive has already given its approval to the proposed new law.