Business Insurance

Italian employers facing stiff penalties under recently passed workplace safety legislation will have to become more diligent at risk management to deal with a new exposure that they cannot insure.

"I think the impact already is showing," said Massimo Minella, senior consultant with Milan-based Marsh Risk Consulting, a unit of New York-based Marsh Inc. He has met with chief executive officers of other companies to discuss workplace safety in light of the new law, an unusual situation in Italy, he said.

"It is not so typical for a CEO to be involved in a meeting about safety," said Mr. Minella, in a country where workplace health and safety does not get the same attention from top management as in other European nations. But the new legislation has stirred some executives to act, he added. "They are interested in listening to how they can improve the situation."