Health and safety laws being flouted

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 30th Jan 2004.

EMPLOYERS who flout health and safety laws must be seriously dealt with.

That's according to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), who say too many bosses are getting away with a "rap on the knuckles".

Responding to a Health and Safety Commission (HSC) consultation paper on workplace safety APIL President David Marshall said: "Every breach must be taken seriously. We are extremely concerned that under proportionate enforcement, the HSC has said any action taken will be the minimum necessary to secure future compliance from the errant employer.

"Even if a worker has not been seriously injured, treating breaches with tolerance in this way gives out the wrong message, and could encourage complacency.

"Employers must know that if they break the law, then the consequence will be serious, otherwise workers could pay the price in injuries at a later date."

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