HSE begins Fee for Intervention

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will come into force on Monday (1 October).

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including, inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing.

Detailed guidance for businesses and organisations is available on HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk. Developed in consultation with representatives from industry, it explains how the scheme works and includes examples of how it will be applied.

Geoffrey Podger, HSE’s Chief Executive, said: “The most basic safety mistakes in the workplace can devastate lives and result in real costs to industry.

“It is right that those who fail to meet their legal obligations should pay HSE’s costs rather than the public purse having to do so.”

Fee for Intervention provides a further incentive for businesses to manage health and safety effectively and to operate within the law. It should also help level the playing field between those who comply and those who don’t.

Employers can find practical advice, tools and case studies for controlling common risks and ensuring compliance with health and safety law on HSE’s website at: www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox