Absolute Health and Safety Solutions Ltd - Leading health and safety at work

The HSC & IOD 'Leading Health and Safety at Work'
Effective health and safety performance comes from the top; members of the board have both collective and individual responsibility for health and safety. Directors and boards need to examine their own behaviours, both individually and collectively, against the guidance given - and, where they see that they fall short of the standards it sets them, to change what they do to become more effective leaders in health and safety

1. PLAN
2. DELIVER
3. MONITOR
4. REVIEW

H&S law states that organisations must:

provide a written H&S policy (if they employ five or more people)

assess risks to employees, customers, partners and any other people who could be affected by their activities

arrange for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventive and protective measures

ensure they have access to competent H&S advice

consult employees about their risks at work and current preventive and protective measures

Failure to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences - for both organisations and individuals. Sanctions include fines, imprisonment and disqualification.

Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (which comes into effect on 08/04/2008) an offence will be committed where failings by an organisation's senior management are a substantial element in any gross breach of the duty of care owed to the organisation's employees or members of the public, which results in death. The maximum penalty is an unlimited fine and the court can additionally make a publicity order requiring the organisation to publish details of its conviction and fine.

Further information on the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 can be found on the Ministry of Justice Website

Related stories:
	Fire Safety Guides - Now Available
	The Client - Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007
	The New WEEE Regulations