"It is a sad fact of life that bosses are getting away with murder and will continue to do so until they realistically face the prospect of jail," said Tony Woodley, general secretary of the Transport and General Union.
“Fines are falling while deaths are rising as the existing law fails both workers and their families,†he said.
In 1996, the Law Commission recommended that an offence of corporate killing should be enacted. In 1997, the Government pledged to improve safety by ensuring that companies and directors could more easily be held to account for negligent or reckless conduct.