Corporate manslaughter—be prepared

According to the Statistics of Fatal Injuries 2006/2007, published by the UK Health and Safety Executive, more than 240 people were fatally injured at work in Britain last year, adding to the 40 000 people killed in commercially-related circumstances since 1966. In April 2008, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 takes effect and will make it easier to convict organisations whose gross failure in management and organisation results in a person's death at work. All civil engineering companies must fully prepare for the new legislation or risk serious consequences.