King's Cross, Zeebrugge, Piper Alpha ... more than a thousand people died in the big disasters of the late 80s. Each year more than 600 die in everyday workplace accidents. Yet after most disasters and deaths at work, company managements escape unpunished. Only one director has ever been convicted of manslaughter for a workplace death, while the average fine for safety offences is little more than £800. Michael Crick asks whether the law on safety is too lenient.