BATU seeks tougher penalties for safety breaches

The Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU) has called for the introduction of a corporate manslaughter as a criminal offence in an effort to improve safety on construction sites.

BATU said such an offence would encourage employers to take a stronger stance on health and safety issues.

Spokesman Paddy O’Shaughnessy said legislation aimed at improving safety on building sites has improved the situation, but has failed to adequately protect workers.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked as well as it should have and we believe that employers who are at fault must be held to account.

"We’re talking literally about a life-and-death situation here, so people who are in the wrong should be punished.”