Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Case Reaches the Crown Court
Recently, a case was filed against Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, in which it was accused of corporate manslaughter of one of its employees, Alexander Wright.
This led to the first prosecution under the Act. The company and one of its directors, Peter Eaton, have been charged with the violation of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Eaton has been charged with gross negligence leading to manslaughter and consequently of the breach of Section 37 of the Act. The Section provides for the prosecution of senior company officials if the offence under the Act resulted from the consent, involvement or negligence of that person.
Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the safety of employees and since the company failed to do so, it was charged with the violation of the Act. The NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH Cert) is a qualification designed to help those with health and safety responsibilities to carry out their duties at work more effectively and to protect the organisations for which they work. Take a look at the course details for more info and to make sure you are aware of your responsibilities as an employer to keep you employees safe and protected.
The case has been referred to Bristol Crown Court and following the procedure, a hearing called Preliminary Hearing is being held which will decide the future course of action.
Angela Phillip, an Associate at legal firm Osborn Abas Hunt, said that it is not likely that there will be any plea of guilty by the company or the director. However, she said that the court will direct the whole procedure to be followed in the case and lay out the dates for the same. The Plea and Case Management hearing will take place some time in August, 2009 and the pleas will be submitted to the court only then.
