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Embargoed, 00.01
am, 2 November 1999
New evidence reveals companies escaping criminal
investigation and prosecution
New
evidence reveals how the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) - the body responsible for the regulation of
rail safety and the investigation of the Paddington
disaster - allows companies to escape investigation
and prosecution for crimes involving serious injury
and death.
In its evidence to the Environment Select Committee
on 2 November, the Centre for Corporate Accountability
will make public details of research it has undertaken
into HSE's investigation and prosecution record:
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HSE's
low investigation and prosecution rates |
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inconsistencies
in HSE action between different parts of the country
and between different industries. |
Major
Injuries go Univestigated
Between 1996-1998, the HSE received reports of 47,802
major injuries at the workplace - including amputations,
burns, etc. Yet, the HSE only investigated
Analysis
by the Centre indicates that this results in at least
4413 companies escaping prosecution. The figures also
reveal that the HSE has no consistent investigation
policy.
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Half as many injuries to construction workers were
investigated than injuries to farm workers;
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One third as many injuries to miners (and those
working in extraction/utility industries) were investigated
than injuries to construction workers;
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Half as many injuries to workers in London and the
South East were investigated than workers in Yorkshire
and the North East;
Companies
and Directors go Unprosecuted
Although evidence indicates that 70% of deaths and major
injuries are the result of management failure the HSE
prosecutes:
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only one in ten of the major injuries it has investigated.
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only one in five of the 510 deaths its has investigated
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almost half as many major injuries in the Midlands
result in prosecution than in the Home Counties.
Company
face minimal fines
The average fines against a company convicted in relation
to a death was:
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less than £20,000
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the fines in the London courts were on average three
times lower than
the fines in courts in Wales and the West
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the fines in the Midlands courts were on average
twice as low as the fines in the London courts.
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The HSE prosecuted four out of five cases in the
magistrates courts (rather than the Crown courts)
where the maximum fine is £20,000
Link
to Select Committee Documents
Back to Press Releases
Notes to Editors:
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The Centre for Corporate Accountability is a new
organisation, which through advice, research and
advocacy aims to promote worker and public safety.
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Tables are attached. Copies of 14 page evidence
can be provided
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The Centre is giving Evidence to the DETR Select
Committee on 2 November 1999 at 11.10 am The Centre
is being represented by David Bergman, Centre Director,
and Dr Gary Slapper, Director of Law at the Open
University, who is on the Centre's Advisory Council
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