Higher And Appropriate Penalties Required For HSE Breaches

Bill Callaghan, chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), has written to the Cabinet Office calling for 'more training for judges and magistrates so that the level of fines... recognises the gravity of breaches and acts as an effective deterrent.'

In an HSC response to a government review of regulatory sanctions headed by Richard Macrory, professor of environmental law at University College London, Mr Callaghan said: 'Before we can look objectively at alternative penalties, there is a need to ensure the current level of penalties, in terms of the level of fines imposed, act as an effective deterrent. It is our belief that the current level is too low and needs to be increased.'

"With the average fine for a health and safety offence being below £5,000 and for a fatality under £50,000, I don't think that's really taking this matter as seriously as it ought to be," Mr Callaghan told the BBC.

"I'm looking for not only new penalties but for the courts to make sure that the existing penalties are applied fairly."

Meanwhile, the number of deaths at work in the UK fell to record lows in the year to 31 March 2006 to 212, figures have shown.

However, commenting on these figures, Bill Callaghan said there was no room for complacency. "The figures are very encouraging but more needs to be done. There are still too many people killed at work every year, and quite often simple, inexpensive measures could have prevented the tragic loss of life."

He added: "The figures show that the Commission's strategy is working. This is based on enforcement, information and advice, regulation and persuasion and working in partnership with industry and trade unions."

source: BBC News on line, HSE

 
 
Icon: back to news
 

Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Union Safety Services