 Cathy Jamieson addressed the conference on Sunday |
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson is considering the introduction of a new offence of "corporate killing". She told the Scottish Labour conference that such a move would provide a new route to prosecute companies whose neglect results in death.
Ms Jamieson also promised to end the exploitation of workers and crack down on construction industry cowboys.
She also signalled legislation on internet grooming during her keynote speech to delegates in Inverness.
Ms Jamieson told delegates that Labour was leading a "justice revolution" across both criminal and civil law.
She said unions had warned that the safety record in the construction industry was so poor that it was the largest single killer of workers.
"We will work with the decent employers in the construction industry to squeeze out the cowboys," she said. "And we will act to end the exploitation of workers - wherever they come from."
Ms Jamieson said no-one who committed crime would be above the law.
"So if legislation is needed to deal with 'corporate killing', we will bring forward legislation.
"And we will act on environmental crime and strengthen the enforcement of environmental law."
The minister also highlighted the use of the internet to exploit children.
Rallying cry
"We will continue to pursue and we will not stop until we catch and convict all those who abuse, exploit and damage our children.
"We will legislate on internet grooming," she said.
The conference closed with a rallying cry for party unity from UK Health Secretary John Reid.
He praised former ministers who had remained loyal to the leadership, warning that internal attacks on a Labour prime minister would lead to a Conservative government.
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If legislation is needed to deal with 'corporate killing', we will bring forward legislation 
