Health and safety prosecutors are watching you

By Oliver Nicholas, of Terry Jones Solicitors, Telford

Recession or no recession, being in business is difficult. From product issues to staffing issues, from local stores to multi-national companies business is difficult. It becomes even more difficult when accidents happen and investigations begin.

From the first letter suggesting a problem, through to the stress of the interviews and worry over the court proceedings how can you focus on trading as well as making sure you “do it right”? There are many recent examples of work place incidents and the prosecutions that followed.

A Welsh housing trust was recently fined £30,000 for failing to protect its employees from injury, employers have faced prison and one such widely reported careless scaffolder barely avoided custody with a suspended sentence. Prison is now an all-too-real risk with a clear increase in Health and Safety prosecutions.

On Environment Agency matters a prosecution can potentially lead to high fines or prison and untold stress. There are defences to be raised and there are steps that can be taken.

These often start with an interview under caution – if handled correctly the case may never see a court room. Early advice is vital.

With a specialist regulatory law department to support and protect your business you can continue to do what you do while being protected. As part of the Metamorph Law Group, our Regulatory Law department benefits from the substantial wrap-around services from the commercial and criminal departments.

What do you get for your money? You receive bespoke representation tailored to your needs covering disclosure of the alleged offences, advice on and presence in any interviews as well as advice on and preparation of any court proceedings that may be considered at a later stage. We also have experience of instruction by insurance companies depending on your cover.

Whether you are a manufacturer running a factory or a rural farmer - either way regulatory law will influence you. Don’t let it affect you.