Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Slingsby calls for companies to review health and safety ahead of New Act

Slingsby calls for organisations to take precautions against potential health and safety risks in advance of important changes which are due to be introduced into UK law in 2008.

Dominic Slingsby, MD of Slingsby, has urged employers to ensure that they are completely up to date with current health and safety regulations and that increased efforts are made to protect workers prior to the new Corporate Manslaughter Act in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Corporate Homicide Act as it will be known in Scotland, being put into force.

Dominic Slingsby stated that it is vital, especially in light of the introduction of the new law that; “Organisations take precautions against potential health and safety risks. With only a small amount of time and effort companies can both protect their employees and safeguard the organisation against prosecution”.

From April 2008 the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 will come into force in the UK, and for the 1st time, companies and organisations can be prosecuted in the event that serious failures in the management of health and safety result in a fatality. If a jury decides that an organisation neglected health and safety requirements for employees, then it is possible that unlimited fines, remedial orders and publicity orders could be imposed.

The new law is being introduced to help combat the current high numbers of deaths and injuries in the workplace, where according to official statistics; every year more than 200 people are killed and over 30 million working days were lost in 2006 alone to occupational ill health and injury accumulating in a total cost of £30 billion.

A spokesperson for Slingsby said, "Addressing health and safety issues and assessing risks is something that cannot be avoided and can save organisations time and money, it can help reduce employee absence and employee turnover rates, while at the same time reducing the risk of litigation. It is important that organisations regularly review their health and safety management systems and that all possible precautions and preventions are put into place to protect their employees from injury or fatality".

About Slingsby
Formed in 1893 Slingsby, are leading suppliers of industrial and commercial safety equipment with a range of 35,000 products to assist companies meet health and safety guidelines.

The company consistently strives to improve its manufacturing pedigree through investment in new technology, quality and increased product ranges.

While originally famous for manual handling equipment, the latest catalogue features a range of essential products covering the entire workplace, providing more choice and a credible single source solution for all Slingsby customers. The latest range includes over a three thousand new products, from traditional areas like materials handling through to exciting new janitorial and office equipment products.