Small business owners need to prepare now for the introduction of the Corporate Manslaugher and Corporate Homicide Act or risk their reputation ending up in tatters, according to business advice consultancy Croner. The new law, which comes into force in April 2008, will make it much easier for companies and owners to be convicted of manslaughter for work-related deaths and injuries. But Croner claims many companies have not been made aware of the fact that if corporate manslaughter charges are brought against them, they will have to make that knowledge public, which could ruin their reputation and cost them staff, suppliers and customers. “Only recently over half of all employers (52%) admitted to being unprepared for the new law, and from our interaction with businesses we know there’s even less awareness of the publicity clause,” said Stephen Thomas, a safety technical consultant with Croner.
“This specific part of the law puts unprepared businesses at risk of damaging their corporate reputation by highlighting their laissez faire attitude to health and safety,” he added.
“This will no doubt affect recruitment and retention rates, as well as maintaining and securing new business and relationships with contractors. No one wants to work for or recruit the services of a ‘rogue’ company.”
Croner offers the following tips to help comply with the new legislation:
- Make sure that health and safety management systems accurately reflect the company’s activities
- Actively involve senior managers to act as motivators for all levels of management (by maintaining their interest through participation) and for employees (by demonstrating management’s commitment to their wellbeing)
- Allocate health and safety responsibilities to all levels of staff to create a sense of ownership regarding the companies overall health and safety standards
- Encourage communication between all levels in spoken, written and visible pathways
- Implementing health and safety measures need not be costly: it can save you money not only in the avoidance of fines and penalties but in tangible business benefits such as increased performance, reduction in lost time, reduced insurance premiums and a healthier, happier workforce