DWP welcomes tougher health and safety laws

Fri 17 Oct 2008

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has welcomed new legislation that increases penalties for breaches of health and safety law.

The Health & Safety Offences Act 2008 gives courts heavier sentencing powers and has widened the range of offences now punishable by a custodial sentence.

"It is generally accepted that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low," said Lord McKenzie.

The changes to the law will better "deter businesses that do not take their health and safety management responsibilities seriously" and further encourage others to follow the law, he added.

Under the new law, fines of £20,000 can be imposed in the lower courts, and more offences can be dealt with by prison terms in lower and higher courts.

Also, certain offences, which previously were only triable in the lower court can now be considered by either.

The Health & Safety Executive provides advice on topics as diverse as asbestos, lighting and workplace violence.

Call centre jobs in Leicester adhere to the latest health and safety directives.