The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has welcomed the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008, which received Royal Assent last week.

HSENI Chairman Peter McKie said: "The new Act sends out an important message to those who flout the law. However, good employers and good managers have nothing to fear. In fact, they have much to gain by managing health and safety effectively.

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"I want to remind businesses that there are no changes to their existing legal duties and that important safeguards are in place to ensure these new powers will be used sensibly and proportionately.

"Our approach to enforcement in Northern Ireland is in line with the rest of the UK and targets those who cut corners, gain commercial advantage over competitors by failing to comply with health and safety law and put workers and the public at risk."

The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health and safety regulations in the lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened.

(PR/JM)