The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences which came into force in February 2016 provide, on the face of it, a straightforward basis for calculating fines based upon culpability, harm and the defendant’s turnover. However the Court of Appeal recently…
Dental practitioners have long been subject to regulation in relation to the maintenance and use of their x-ray equipment, but a new regulatory regime is shortly to come into force. This results from an EC directive, but as the UK…
Many company directors may not be aware that they have potential personal liability for health and safety breaches. Health and Safety at Work Act Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides that where a body corporate commits…
The term ‘whistleblower’ is now familiar thanks to ongoing press coverage. The statutory protection brought in for whistleblowers is a result of analysis of various scandals and disasters undertaken by the charity Public Concern at Work. The research found that more…
Company directors and senior managers were among 13 convicted in relation to the abuse of vulnerable residents at care homes in Devon. The legal proceedings against the staff have been ongoing for a number of years, however reporting restrictions were in…
A recent case has shown that small sites combined with last-minute changes can be disastrous – so pay attention to variations. A case before the Southwark Crown Court highlighted that small sites with last minute changes are a particularly dangerous combination.…
