Press Release
July 7th, 2009

New team to tackle health and safety

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is backing a new justice team that aims to get tough on bosses who flout health and safety laws.

The prosecution team was launched this week by the Crown Office and is already looking into the Flying Phantom tragedy.

The health and safety unit will also be able to look into negligence cases and investigate outbreaks of bugs like C Diff in hospitals.

At its launch this week, Solicitor General Frank Mulholland warned companies could face huge fines and even jail sentences if they do not abide by rules.

Mr McNeil is giving the unit his full backing and believes workers in Inverclyde will benefit from their work.

He said: “Everyone should be able to go to work and be sure they are working in safe conditions.

“The tragic consequences of the Flying Phantom case and the nine C Diff deaths at the Inverclyde Royal Hospital are just two recent examples where campaigners have been calling for legal action.

“So this should bring benefits to all workers and send a message to employers that there will be serious consequences if safety is compromised.”

The new unit is headed by senior prosecutor ElaineTaylor, who has a team of 16 based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

She led the successful prosecution of the owners of the ICL/Stockline factory in Glasgow, where a blast killed nine people in 2004.

The move has received the backing of both trade unions and employers’ right groups.

Jamie McCourt, Inverclyde Advice and Employment rights and co-author of the Stockline report, said: “I welcome this as a further step to achieve justice for workers.”

ENDS