Controversy and threats of strike action over a new working agreement only emphasise that the way building services projects are delivered is changing forever, says HVCA President Bob Shelley.

The recent protests against a new, single working agreement for mechanical, electrical and plumbing operatives were politically orchestrated by the radical arm of trade unions and it is still a minority of workers who are unhappy about the proposed changes.

For many construction companies there has been growing concern regarding the liabilities of both the company and individual directors.  Added to this, The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (the new Act), which came into force last year on 6 April makes it easier to pursue successful prosecutions against large organisations in the UK for corporate manslaughter. The new Act is not retrospective so deaths which occurred before 6 April will be governed by the old law.