Job search
Job Search
Latest news
More news: (showing 1 - 20 of 13727)           
UK only International

Safety compliance is paramount ahead of stricter sentencing guidelines, warns ukactive

By Jak Phillips    20 Jan 2016
Recent reports have found that accidents are more likely to happen in the sports hall of a leisure centre than anywhere else

ukactive has urged the physical activity sector to ensure it is fully safety compliant and following industry best practice ahead of new sentencing guidelines for safety offences due to come into effect next month.

From 1 February 2016, new guidelines – described as the ‘biggest shake up to health and safety offences since the 70s’ – will increase the level of fines that the court can impose in the event of an incident.

Around 84 per cent of on-site accidents are beyond a leisure operator’s control, according to a report last year drawn from industry accident benchmarking platform STITCH. Despite this, preventable accidents do happen and the penalties for failing to follow proper procedures can include jail sentences and fines of up to £10m for the most serious breaches of health and safety law.

The new guidelines will create a nine-stage process setting out a clear and formulaic approach to sentencing. The process requires the judge to determine, using criteria set out in tables, the culpability of the defendant from low to very high and then determine the harm risked by the breach from one of three categories. These two factors are then plotted on a grid to determine a starting point of the fine and the fine range.

To reduce the risk of incurring these increased fines, organisations are advised by the guidelines to comply with the law and follow company procedures. ukactive says that following its industry Code of Practice can potentially save organisations millions, as failing to comply with industry guidelines could result in a higher culpability.

Commenting on the new guidelines, Andy Read, safety manager at Places for People Leisure and representative of the ukactive Standards and Legislation committee said: “Although this does not change current legislation, it could have a significant impact on any business that is not complying with the standard. The ukactive Code of Practice is a great tool to help make sure that your organisation has got its policies and procedures in order.”

Executive Director Steve Ward added: “Every organisation across the sector is affected by the new sentencing guidelines. We all need to ensure we comply with the law, follow company procedures and meet industry best practice. ukactive can advise you on these standards and help you meet standard requirements through the Code of Practice.”

ukactive  Right Directions  health and safety  compliance  leisure  stricter sentencing guidelines 
Sign up for FREE ezines

Company profile

Company profile: Precor
Precor has been a pioneer in delivering fitness experiences for commercial customers for more than 40 years and our products and services span all major categories, including cardio, strength, functional fitness, group training, and connected solutions.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Elevate registrations soar: a record-breaking start to Elevate 2024
Elevate, the premier event in the physical activity, fitness, sports therapy and performance sector, is thrilled to announce that registrations for its 2024 conference are now live – and the response has been nothing short of exceptional.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Loughton, IG10
Company: Knight Frank
Location: Grantham, Leicestershire
Company: Belvoir Castle
Location: Verwood, Dorset
Company: AVISON YOUNG
Location: Hall Place House, Bexley, DA5 1PQ
Company: London Borough of Bexley
Location: 15 Concessions across the nation's forests
Company: Forestry England
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

11-14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Centre , Cologne, Germany
22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort, York
10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
More diary dates