Danger for directors warns DWF
5/17/2010Company directors are more vulnerable than ever to prosecution for health and safety breaches warns a Liverpool law firm.
DWF is urging employers to ensure that they are aware of their personal responsibilities and liabilities under health and safety law due to a recent increase in the number of director fines and disqualifications by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This warning comes after the director of a fuel tank manufacturing business in Stratford-upon-Avon was prosecuted for failing to comply with his health and safety responsibilities.
Workers at Transtore UK Ltd were exposed to lead and other harmful chemicals while paint was being sprayed at the plant without the correct safety procedures in place. The company's director, Mr Nixon, was banned from directing any company for five years and fined £17,000 after breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Steffan Groch, head of the regulatory team at DWF said: "This case and recent others suggest that the HSE are not only prosecuting companies for their health and safety failures, but progressively targeting individual directors too.
"This trend shows no sign of abating, as there is a bill currently in front of the House of Commons which, if passed, will put directors in the same position as the employer in having health and safety legal obligations.
"We strongly advise that company directors ensure that they are fully aware of the current legal requirements, the obligations that are imposed upon them and the steps they must take to make certain they are not breaking the law.
"As we have seen from recent prosecutions, failure to do this will result in hefty fines and a possible ban from directing any company at all."
For more information contact Steffan Groch on 0161 603 5008 or email steffan.groch@dwf.co.uk.
Ends
Notes to editors
DWF LLP is one of the fastest growing law firms in the UK. With over 1,100 people based in Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Preston, DWF provides a range of services grouped in the following sectors:
Corporate
Finance & Restructuring
Litigation
Real Estate
People
Insurance
Private Client
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