New laws will require tighter risk control

A leading risk broker has today warned that hundreds of businesses could be at substantial financial risk if they fail to tighten their own health and safety and general risk control procedures in recognition of proposed laws.

Alliance Corporate Risk Management has responded to news that companies could be fined as much as 10% of their annual turnover for breaches of a new corporate manslaughter act.

Consultation about the new act was launched last month. It has led to the business lobby group, CBI, criticising plans to potentially fine companies hundreds of millions of pounds.

Commenting on the act and its implications, Alliance’s Chief Executive John McLaren-Stewart, said: “This particular act could have huge implications to businesses of all sizes, so I would urge all employers to take a very good look at the policies and procedures they currently have in place.

“As a risk broker, we are constantly dealing with companies who are looking to safeguard themselves against the implication of laws like this.

“I would urge every employer to get themselves informed about the new manslaughter laws and to use that opportunity to carefully consider their current health and safety policies.”

He added: “No employer ever wants to imagine that they might be implicated through legislation of this nature, but it is always better to put preventative measures in place.”

The manslaughter law has been a controversial piece of legislation and has involved several revisions at the highest level.

Alliance Corporate Risk Management is one of the country’s top corporate risk brokers for growing businesses and operates from Bury St Edmunds and London.