Unions want duties on directors

The T&G general union and UCATT construction workers' union have pressed MPs for a new law holding individual directors to account for workplace casualties.

The unions' Health & Safety (Directors' Duties) Bill would place a general duty on all company directors, and would require large companies to appoint a director at board level to be responsible for health and safety. Directors would face custodial sentences if serious health and safety breaches or negligence resulted in death.