Cotswold Charged with Corporate Manslaughter
Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings is the first company to be charged with corporate manslaughter in the UK under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, 2007. Bristol Crown court has been charged to conduct the suit.
The suit against Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings has been handed over for an initial inquiry which will decide the timeframe for the case. The company is the first one to be tried under the corporate manslaughter Act for the death of one of its employees.
However, Angela Phillip, an Associate at Osborn Abas Hunt, informs that so far no appeal has been entered, as it is for the judge to decide the dates for instituting legal proceedings and also that of the appeal. She also added that the judge will further set the date of the suit, which is expected to be in August.
The incident occurred in September 2008, when the trench in which Mr. Alexander Wright was collecting soil samples caved in, causing his immediate death.
Peter Eaton, a director of the company, has been found guilty for his irresponsible conduct under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974. Sec. 37 of the said act also makes provision for taking legal action against such senior officials if it can be proved that the offence was done with his approval or he was a part of the conspiracy.
Cotswold has also been found to have infringed Sec. 2of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 which calls for employers to follow the guidelines set out for the protection and wellbeing of their workers. An IOSH Managing Safely course will provide you with the knowledge to manage safely and effectively in compliance with both workplace policy and best practice in health and safety, and help you to identify and implement appropriate workplace precautions for specific risks or seek advice on workplace precautions - click on NEBOSH college for details of training for this highly regarded course.
