Health and safety prosecutions to go ahead before inquest

Posted on: January 12, 2012

More health and safety prosecutions will take place before inquest as changes to a key agreement between those who investigate and prosecute work-related deaths seek to speed up justice in England and Wales.
Only in exceptional circumstances are cases currently taken before an inquest by regulators other than the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Health and safety offences are only usually brought at this stage if they are being tried in conjunction with manslaughter-related charges.
The revised protocol will allow prosecution before inquest where manslaughter or homicide charges are not relevant – if it is considered appropriate and in the interest of justice.
The changes to the Work-Related Deaths Protocol or WRDP which took effect on 1 October 2011, aim to see that bereaved families see a swifter resolution to some prosecutions.