HSE turns to name-and-shame tactics

Companies which are prosecuted for environmental misdemeanours no longer have anywhere to hide. The Health and Safety Executive is now publishing enforcement reports, detailing every prosecution it undertakes — and is also posting information on every conviction on the internet.

'Companies, organisations and individuals must be held accountable for their health and safety performance: their professional reputation should depend on it,' commented HSE director-general Timothy Walker. 'The convictions are there for all to see, including would-be customers, contractors, investors, employees and insurers. They all have a right to be aware of an organisation's health and safety record before they decide whether to invest their capital and labour.'

The HSE website, at http://www.hse-databases.co.uk/prosecutions, lists 1133 cases prosecuted in 1999/2000, involving 2253 charges. Only 72 of these charges led to a 'not guilty' or 'not proven' verdict. However, Walker points out, the fines meted out by the courts were often low — £7000 on average. 'Health and safety crimes cause pain and distress to the victims and their families. Society has a right to expect that, when a business or individual is found guilty, the penalty handed down by the courts reflects the seriousness of the offence. This is simply not happening enough.'

Taylor is leading efforts to lobby the government to bring in new penalties for environmental offences, including prison sentences, and supports the introduction of new manslaughter legislation that will allow companies whose activities lead to fatalities to be charged with the offence of corporate killing.