Planning for how to respond to an incident – a lawyer’s perspective
Despite the sector’s continued commitment to eliminating harm, serious incidents — including those resulting in fatalities or life‑changing injuries — can still occur across construction and logistics operations. When they do, organisations must act swiftly, compassionately and in full compliance with the law. Preparation is therefore critical, not only to manage the immediate crisis but also to navigate the complex legal, regulatory and reputational consequences that may follow.
At this CLOCS Safety Forum, we were joined by James Muller of Weightmans LLP, who outlined the practical steps businesses can take now to prepare for the legal implications of a future transport incident — whether it occurs on a construction site or on the highway, and whether it involves your own workforce and vehicles or those of a contractor.
The session explored immediate crisis response, the roles and powers of the police and HSE, how to approach internal investigations, and what potential enforcement action may look like.
A copy of the presentation can be found here while a recording of the Forum is available within the CLOCS member portal.