Slips, Trips and Trials: Health & Safety Workshop

"The workshop was immensely enlightening, and I have come away with a much clearer understanding of the impact the sentencing guidelines are having on business..."

Travelers Europe recently got creative and hosted a mock sentencing trial for 40 of their largest Business Insurance customers, which has received standout feedback from those who attended.

Developed in partnership with BLM, an insurance risk and commercial law firm, and Crown Office Chambers, the workshop looked to help Travelers customers understand how to manage a health and safety crisis. In the given scenario, someone had suffered a fatal accident on the client’s premises.

Helen Devery, a partner at BLM, talked through initial crisis management steps and how to make sure their business was prepared. Legal barristers (in full attire) then argued for the prosecution and for the defence, to educate Travelers customers on how the facts and aftermath of a case can impact the outcome of a trial. Travelers customers then estimated the penalty and listened to our ‘judge’, barrister Harry Vann from Crown Office Chambers, make the verdict.

Jo Stoffell, Corporate Client Manager at Travelers, says: “Since new sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences were introduced in 2016, we have seen many significant fines being handed down to organisations of all sizes, as well as individuals facing stronger penalties. There has never been a more important time for everyone to be aware of the impact that a major incident can have on a business, and for our customers to be committed to safe practices. Our workshop looked to do this in the most creative and interactive way possible.”

Attendees commented:

• "I've been to quite a few workshops over the last few years on various topics, but yesterday was hands down the most interesting and engaging."
• "The workshop was immensely enlightening, and I have come away with a much clearer understanding of the impact the sentencing guidelines are having on business."
• "I have been to many HSE seminars in the past, but I have to say that your seminar was undoubtedly the best that I have ever seen and so well organised and presented by all."