WMR Insurance Services for Waste Companies

WMR are pleased to be able to provide a specialist Insurance service to its customers through our associated partners.

Insurable risks associated with waste management and environmental services have always needed a specialist approach. High street insurance companies simply don’t understand our business and therefore “load” premiums to protect their “perceived” risks.

WMR's vast experience in the sector has enabled us to provide a complete insurance solution to waste management companies through our long term partnership with an expert insurance broker and together we have managed to gain approval to be underwritten by A+ rated Insurers.

We offer bespoke covers tailored specifically to each client, leaving you with complete peace of mind to run your business safe in the knowledge that you are completely protected.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, which came into force in April 2008, introduces a new offence across the UK for prosecuting companies and other organisations where there has been a gross breach of duty of care, throughout the organisation, in the management of health and safety with fatal consequences.

Juries will be asked to consider how the fatal activity was managed or organised throughout the organisation, including any systems and processes for managing safety and how these were operated in practice.

A substantial part of the failure within the organisation must have been at a senior level - the people who make significant decisions about the organisation or substantial parts of it.

Duty of care

A duty of care exists for example in respect of the systems of work and equipment used by employees, the condition of worksites and other premises occupied by an organisation and in relation to products or services supplied to customers. The Act does not create new duties – they are already owed in the civil law of negligence and the new offence is based on these.

Penalties

An organisation guilty of the offence will be liable to an unlimited fine. The Act also provides for courts to impose a publicity order, requiring the organisation to publicise details of its conviction and fine. Courts may also require an organisation to take steps to address the failures behind the death.

What do organisations need to do to comply with the law?

All employers must already comply with health and safety legislation and the Act does not affect those requirements. However, the introduction of the new offence is an opportunity for employers to satisfy themselves that systems and processes for managing health and safety are adequate.