Companies have growing needs in this field, mainly due to the increasing number of legislative and regulatory requirements, the need for safety and results that employers must afford their employees and the development of case law that tips the balance greatly in favour of the rights that staff representative bodies competent in health and safety matters demand.
Gide assists and advises its clients before the competent courts on all regulatory questions of health and safety, work-related accidents and illnesses. Our approach not only aims to advise our clients on a correct application of health- and safety-related legislation and regulations, but also to raise directors’ awareness of the financial consequences and their civil and criminal responsibilities in the event of negligence in this sensitive field.
Our lawyers act as soon as the accident happens or as soon as exposure to a certain hazard has been identified, and represent their clients before the appropriate jurisdictions, in particular with a view to avoid the recognition of their criminal and civil liability (which is considered gross negligence) that may have significant financial consequences on the company. We also assist in the negotiation and implementation of compensation plans, set forth by collective agreement, for employees who have been exposed to hazardous products in the workplace.
We are reputed for our experience in assisting clients with the management of their relations with their Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committees, particularly in the context of projects affecting employee health, safety and working conditions.