Management of Health and Safety at Work - Abnormal events including work related deaths, the enforcement process and management of an investigation

摘要

In recent years, there has been growing public disquiet at what was seen as unnecessary work related deaths and a demand for action to punish those responsible. In response to that public disquiet, the arrangements for investigation of work related deaths have been formalised with a protocol of agreement between the Police CPS, HSE and others defining the principles for effective liaison between the parties, in particular it deals with incidents where, following a death, evidence indicates that a serious offence other than a health and safety offence may have been committed. At present only the police can investigate serious criminal offences (other than health and safety offences) such as manslaughter, and only the CPS can decide whether such a case will proceed. Health and safety offences are usually prosecuted by HSE, the local authority or CPS, the CPS usually only does so when prosecuting other serious offences, such as manslaughter, arising out of the same circumstances.