MP presses for power to freeze company assets during accident investigations

A Labour MP has proposed a Bill that would give HSE the power to freeze part or all of a company’s assets if it was under investigation for a breach of regulations which had resulted in death or serious injury. The aim of the Bill would be to prevent companies from avoiding penalties by going into administration while being investigated.

Luciana Berger, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, said, “It is vital that we have strong health and safety laws to protect workers and to punish negligent employers who ignore these protections. It is wrong that employers who have clearly broken the law can walk away without being properly punished. I hope the Government will take notice of my Bill and adopt this modest but vital measure, so that no company can avoid justice.”  The Bill received its first reading in parliament on 8 February 2012.

CRS Opinion:

The Bill has been introduced under what is called the 'ten minute rule', which means it is unlikely to get the parliamentary time necessary to make it onto the statute book. Nevertheless, the proposal is reported to enjoy some support, particularly from UCATT, the construction industry union, and could be advanced again in future.