A new act has recently come into force which will see the penalties for imposed health and safety breaches rise. At the moment magistrates can impose a fine upto £20,000 for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and fines of up to £5,000 for breaches of many of the Health and Safety breaches.

Imprisonment is only available for a very limited number of offences, such as breaching improvement notices or prohibition notices.

The Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008;

• Increases th...

Continue reading ...