IOSH has warned firms that cutting down on safety could have disastrous consequences for their organisations and their staff.
Ray Hurst, the president of IOSH, said: “We recognise it may be tempting for firms to cut corners on health and safety to save money. But that choice will not only result in human tragedy but also have a major impact on the business’s bottom line.
“The fact that provisional health and safety fatal injuries statistics, show that 228 people died in workplace accidents demonstrates that even in better economic climes, some firms were still getting it seriously wrong. Cutting corners costs lives!
“Similarly, those who are tempted to skimp on safety should realise that we now have the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide law, which may bring with it hefty fines for companies (possibly up to 10 per cent of global turnover), combined with the prospect of orders requiring publication of conviction and remedial orders.
“The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill, which is currently with the House of Lords, also promises to increase the penalties available to magistrates for Health and Safety at Work Act offences to £20,000.
Ray added: “I’d urge all organisations to ensure health and safety is very close to the top of their agenda even during an economic slowdown. Obviously, companies do need to still be able to operate — health and safety is often about what is reasonably practicable, balancing the level of risk against cost. So, don’t take the cheap way out, you may not be complying with the requirements of law!”
