‘500 workers killed’ but NO corporate manslaughter cases

TOUGHER laws should be introduced to punish those responsible for deadly workplace accidents, according to a health and safety charity.

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Larkhall gas blast, which killed four people, and the fifth anniversary of the Glasgow bin lorry crash, in which six people died.

Campaign group Scottish Hazards said individuals and companies whose negligence or recklessness causes death should be prosecuted and sentenced in the criminal courts. The group is demanding a change in culpable homicide laws to make it easier to punish employers and staff.

At present, culpable homicide requires proof that whatever caused a death was wilfully reckless, not just the result of recklessness or negligence. Scott Donohoe, chairman of Scottish Hazards, said: ‘Our calculations lead us to believe that between 450 and 500 workers have been killed at work, yet we have seen not one charge of culpable homicide. We believe only three individuals have been jailed following conviction for health and safety offences.’

Utility firm Transco was fined £15 million for the Larkhall explosion, for breaching health and safety laws, but it was cleared of culpable homicide. Harry Clarke, the driver of the Glasgow bin lorry, who said he had passed out, was not prosecuted – although a subsequent inquiry found he had failed to declare previously losing consciousness while behind the wheel.

The Scottish Government said: ‘Health and safety at work is reserved to the UK Government. If current legislation could be improved by new devolved legislation, Ministers would consider what further steps should be taken.’