2001 will bring the biggest changes in UK health and safety enforcement since possibly the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and definitely since the “six-pack” regulations in 1992, says the January issue of Facilities Management Legal Update. FMs are warned to plan ahead for the new legislation and, where possible, budget for the expense of compliance. The expected major changes include:
- increased penalties for health and safety offenses, including an increase in the maximum Magistrate’s fine to 20,000 for most offenses, and the possibility of unpaid suspension, community service orders, and prison sentences for culpable managers;
- legislation to require employers to investigate accidents that require notification;
- changes to the asbestos regulations, placing the responsibility for risk assessment and asbestos management firmly with the FM; and
- rigorous enforcement of occupational health regulations concerning stress, workplace smoking, and vibration-related injuries.
Much-publicized proposals for a new offense of “corporate killing” may also resurface in 2001. Under the proposals, large employers would have a greater risk of prosecution, which backers say should motivate most organizations to improve their procedures.
Based on a report from WorkplaceLaw.net
