NEWS RELEASE
22 October 2003
STUC VOICES SUPPORT FOR NEW CORPORATE KILLING LEGISLATION
The STUC have repeated calls, ahead of tomorrow's Conference in the Moir Hall, for new corporate killing legislation protecting workers and members of the public to be brought forward as a matter of urgency. The Conference will seek to address issues of corporate accountability, health and safety enforcement, the adequacy of our legal system to deliver justice to bereaved families. The event is expected to be attended by over 200 delegates.
Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer, said,
" This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to hold such a Conference involving trade unions, employers, lawyers, academics and most importantly, learn from the experience of bereaved families about their experiences in seeking justice for the immeasurable heartache and suffering they have faced through the loss of loved ones in work related accidents.
" Unfortunately, although many employers take their responsibilities under health and safety legislation seriously, there are still far to many not being prosecuted as legislation dictates that for a prosecution, in England and Wales to be successful it is necessary to identify a "controlling mind".
" The STUC had believed that this was not the case in Scotland, but the decision of the Appeal Court judges in June, in relation to the charges previously laid against Transco, would appear to suggest differently, although we still await the written judgement some four months later before we can be fully satisfied of the reasons for allowing Transco's appeal.
There is quite clearly a need for a fresh approach to the way deal matters of safety and corporate criminal accountability in Scotland and this is reflected in the fact that over 200 have registered to attend the event".