NEW corporate manslaughter legislation to be introduced in 2003 will have a major impact on the freight transport industry.

There is already speculation about what form this legislation will take and who will be liable in the event of accidents.

The Freight Transport Association has been involved in discussions with the Government on developing a constructive and practical approach to this new law and, because the FTA knows how important the issue is, the association is running a special section in this year's legislation seminars, Transport Manager 2001, which will cover all aspects of the legislation as currently proposed.

The seminars will look at the law as it currently stands; what the Government intends to change and why and what impact these changes will have on the day-to-day operations of freight companies.

What companies should do to ensure that their safety procedures are up to scratch and the time-scale for the legislation will also be covered.

Sarah Watkins, FTA's corporate manslaughter expert, said: "FTA wants to make sure its members are equipped with the information they need about the Government's new proposals and the current state of the law. The Transport Manager 2001 seminars will focus on what companies need to do to ensure that they are prepared for the future."