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Health and safety in the workplace can be a minefield to say the least. Incidents are thankfully, very rare, but company directors and employers with responsibility for safety can both be held liable for an incident – even if you weren’t directly responsible.Health and safety in the workplace can be a minefield to say the least. Incidents are thankfully, very rare, but company directors and employers with responsibility for safety can both be held liable for an incident – even if you weren’t directly responsible.

 

In addition, new sentencing guidelines introduced last year have allowed significantly higher penalties in fines and more immediate and suspended custodial sentences. Some of the fines have exceeded £1million even for non-fatal injury incidents, such as the Merlin Attractions/Alton Towers ride of £5 million. The 2015/16 figures from HSE and CPOFS report 696 cases of safety non-compliance, with 660 convictions – a 95% conviction rate.

 

Bill Bates, a former Principal Health and Safety Executive Inspector and one of the IET Electrical Safety Management course tutors, says:

 
“It’s important that everyone who looks after the workplace – whether a building or an outdoor site – should know how to look after electrical safety. There are risks and consequences for everyone: directors, managers, employees, contractors, families, members of the public and you. You are not safe from prosecution if you are not working safely and have no injury this time!

 

Bates will be joined at the course by Bill Tubey, a leading safety consultant and adviser in the electrical power industry. Tubey says:

 
“Electricity plays a vital role in industry and the management of its use is key to the safe and effective operation of any business. The course is aimed at helping reduce the risks inherent in the operation of any electrical power supply and keeping people safe whilst using it.”

 

Delegates will also gain a legal perspective from Michael Appleby, a solicitor who specialises in defending directors, senior individuals and companies facing investigation or prosecution for health and safety offences or manslaughter arising from work related incidents.

 

There are plenty of good reasons to manage risks safely. Electricity can be dangerous. It pays to be safe, avoiding the cost of incidents. It helps the business run smoothly. Clients will expect it. Workers will expect it. The law demands it. The risks can be managed.




 
Stay safe with the Electrical Safety Management course. The next dates are:
15 – 16 November 2017: IET London: Savoy Place
16 – 17 May 2018: Manchester Conference Centre