New Health and Safety Sentencing Guidelines – The Impact on your Business and Individuals

03
Feb 2016

New Health and Safety Sentencing Guidelines – The Impact on your Business and Individuals

Wakefield Office, Paragon Point, Paragon Business Village, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 2DF

On 1st February 2016 new sentencing guidelines come into force which will affect both businesses and individuals who are convicted of health and safety, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences.

The new guidelines introduce a much more rigid approach to sentencing. Fines will now based on the turnover of your business which will then be adjusted up or down. The new guidelines are undoubtedly one of the most significant changes to the legal landscapes in recent years and will lead to companies being fined more than ever if convicted of an offence. A recent prosecution of a high profile company for an accident at work resulted in a fine of £60,000. Under the new sentencing guidelines this company could have been fined between £550,000 and £2.9 million. Not only will larger fines become common place but companies will have to disclose financial information in order to assist the court with the sentencing process.

The new guidelines also affect individual company directors who can face potentially unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to two years. The guidelines send a clear message that health and safety needs to be at the top of your business agenda.

Our seminar will discuss the new guidelines and the impact on both your business and the individuals within your business. The seminar will also talk you through a case study demonstrating the likely fine under the new regime.

To register your interest or receive further information about this event please email Charlotte Ardron at charlotteardron@chadlaw.co.uk.