“The law upon health and safety is becoming ever more punitive. Traditionally it had been considered regulatory rather than penal legislation designed to prevent tragedy not punish transgressors. The maximum penalty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 was a fine proportionate to the means of the offender until very recently. For the first time ever under the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 an offending employee can face custody of up to two years. We can all generally support the principles of the legislation but the removal of a person’s liberty is so serious that it is imperative that cases are defended with vigour.”
One Inner Temple Lane, 26th June 2013
Source: www.1itl.com