In an historic ruling on voluntary homicide, ThyssenKrupp's CEO for Italy was sentenced to 16 ½ years recently in prison on charges related to the deaths of seven workers in December 2007 in a fire at a steel plant in Turin, Italy.
Five other company officials were also convicted on manslaughter charges and sentenced to up to 13 1/2 years in prison. The German company received a 1 million euros fine. (WCxKit)
Also, the company will not be permitted to benefit from Italian state subsidies for six months. During the same period, ThyssenKrupp will also be prohibited from advertising its products in Italy.
At the time of the incident the company was gradually eliminating the factory, with only 200 of the former 400 employees remaining, and failed to maintain health and safety standards.
The prosecution's investigation into the incident showed that the CEO was fully aware of the risks and decided not to take the minimum measures necessary by law at the plant.
The court's ruling, which can be challenged, is historic as it sets an important precedent in recognizing the CEO as responsible of voluntary homicide, a first in Italy for a workplace accident.
One worker died on the scene in the blaze at the plant in Turin, while the other six died later in hospital. (WCxKit)
The deaths prompted a nationwide campaign for improved safety measures in the workplace.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact:[email protected] or 860-553-6604.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact:[email protected] or 860-553-6604.
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