Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill

Key Points

• Gives inspectors power to seek a court order to freeze a company’s assets during an investigation after a death or serious injury at work.
• Freezing can cover whole or partial assets, subject to a court decision.
• Updates the enforcement toolkit under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to deter unsafe practices.
• Intended to help ensure penalties and compensation can be recovered where a serious incident has occurred.
• Currently at the 2nd reading in the Commons; originated in the Commons (first reading in 2012).

Progress

The bill has had its first reading in February 2012 and is currently at the second reading in the Commons.