Having been dubbed the most dramatic change in health and safety enforcement since 1974, the new sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences which came into force on 1^st February have a lot to live up to.  The new guidelines apply from that date even if the offences were committed before then. In essence they create a new matrix into which the details of the offence, the circumstances and turnover of the offender are plotted, this process then dictates the punishment.

Companies prosecuted for Health and Safety offences will be placed in one of four bands depending on their turnover, ranging from a micro business with a turnover of up to £2m, to a large business with a turnover of more than £50 million.

From 1st February, large companies could now face fines of more than £10 million for the most serious health and safety offences and more than £20 million for corporate manslaughter convictions. 

For small organisations, a Category A offence starts at £800,000 and for micro organisations the starting point for a fine after a high culpability corporate manslaughter offence is £450,000.

Although concerned that the new guidelines could serve to increase the time from offence to prosecution which is already a lengthy process, the BSIF supports both the consistency that the new guidelines will deliver and the fundamental proposition that neglecting Occupational Safety and Health will result in increased punishment levels. 

With more than 600,000 workers injured in workplace accidents every year, it is hoped that the increased costs will motivate businesses to ensure their risk assessments are complete and their safety and health programmes are fit for purpose.

And an 'appy new year'

To increase communication capabilities, the BSIF has launched the BSIF iOS App, available to download from the App store free of charge. 

The App will keep subscribers up-to-date with breaking industry news, as well as providing the latest Federation updates and key information on events and exhibitions.

Subscribers are encouraged to send images to the ‘Safety Cam’ feature, highlighting safety concerns or celebrating product innovation and sharing moments at key industry events. Images can be emailed directly to the BSIF offices. The ‘Safety Notes’ section enables users to record information quickly whilst out and about, ensuring salient points are remembered and can be used at a later stage.

The App serves as a platform to update on BSIF schemes, including further information on Fit2Fit, reinforcing the need for competent Respiratory Protective Equipment face fit testing. The BSIF Guide to the Safety Industry is available to download through the App, providing subscribers with industry insight, knowledge and information.

Alan Murray, CEO of the BSIF commented “We hope that with the launch of the BSIF App, members of the health and safety community will engage with us more proactively, enabling us all to collectively work together for a safer and healthier 2016.” 

An Android version of the app is currently being investigated and hopefully will be launched later in 2016.