PROPOSED new laws to deal with companies whose negligence leads to the death of employees or members of the public do not go far enough, health and safety experts claim.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill enables courts to consider if deaths were caused by the way a business' was run by its senior managers, rather than focusing on the actions of individual employees. If the Bill becomes law, companies found guilty of corporate manslaughter would face an unlimited fine under the proposals.

However, Steve Horrocks, health and safety consultant at business development consultancy PND in Mawdsley Street, Bolton, said: "The Bill does not remove immunity for all health and safety offences, or increase penalties for health and safety offences, which some unions and safety groups had hoped for.

"In addition, the Bill does not raise specific legal health and safety duties on directors of companies."

Nick Goulding, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, said: "The management of small firms are closer to the shop floor and take a more active role in safeguarding employees and customers.

"We would advise that firms use this chance to question whether their health and safety practices need reviewing.

"This Bill must avoid putting an extra regulatory burden on small firms and help redress the balance between firms that are taking their responsibilities seriously and those that are not," he said.

"The Bill will address companies in which staff are not properly trained and equipment is not in a safe condition."

If passed by the House of Commons and the Lords, the bill could become law by the end of the year.