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Employers are still struggling to come to terms with the new corporate manslaughter law despite it coming into effect in just two weeks.

On 6th April the act will come into force and will mean companies are responsible for the actions of senior mangers when a death occurs at the workplace.

Gillian Hibberd, HR director at Buckinghamshire county council, said: "It's causing headaches among HR colleagues and we all need to be preparing now for its introduction."

She added that the issue of liability in corporate manslaughter cases has been "cloudy" over recent years and the new act brings "clarity".

Under previous law, only one individual, who is chosen by the company, can be held responsible for a death at the workplace and employers and recruiters will have to be aware that this is about to change.

Ms Hibberd concluded that companies which take a "systematic" approach to risk management and health and safety, there should be "nothing to fear".

Meanwhile, Norwich Union Risk Services has advised companies not to let the new legislation to take their attention away from the basic principles of health and safety at the workplace.

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