» Back to listing 'Fast prosecutions' for work deaths

Speeded-up prosecutions over the deaths of workers are on the cards.

The forthcoming Work Related Deaths Protocol has had a number of changes proposed, the major one meaning that charges over health and safety could proceed in some cases before a coroner's inquest is held. No charges can currently be brought until the inquest has concluded.

The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) hopes the reforms to the protocol, to be introduced in October, will boost conviction rates of employers whose workers are killed, as roughly just 30% are currently convicted when a construction worker dies. UCATT said findings by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show management failings contributed to 70% of fatal accidents.

The union added many bosses took their firm into administration and started another one with the same equipment and a similar name to avoid a fine. It says this is possible because of the long delay between a death and the resultant court case.

The new protocol is administered by a National Liaison Committee consisting of Crown Prosecution Service members, the police, the HSE and the Local Government Association.