birketts ec3legal – Sentencing ‘very large’ organisations for health and safety offences

Author - Francesca Reason

When deciding on the appropriate penalty for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the sentencing guidelines begin with the usual considerations of culpability and harm, which predicates the level of fine to be imposed. The consideration then turns to the financial position of the offending organisation, based on its turnover.