Directors & Officers

Corporate Manslaughter; Why Should Bosses Bear the Blame?

Initially, it was thought that individual directors should be held personally liable for actions within the company which led to a fatality.

Currently, if an individual causes a road accident on their way to work, they are held accountable by the police. But as soon as they drive through the site gates personal responsibility appears to end, and it is the directors and officers of the company who become accountable.

It is arguable that if well trained employees are a direct cause of the accident, then they should bear responsibility.

Directors must become committed to reducing accidents and injuries. However, under the Health and Safety At Work Act, every employee needs to take responsibility for his or her own safety together with the safety of those working around them.

February 2008