HSE Intervention recovery scheme begins today

From today, October 1st, the Health and Safety Executive brings into force its Fee for Intervention (FFI).

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.

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."

The guide to FFI is available to download for free from the HSE website.

Source: HSE

HSE introduces cost recovery scheme next month

The Health and Safety Executive spends a lot of money every year investigating and in some cases prosecuting those companies and/or individuals who break health and safety regulations. However, until now it has not been the case that those who break health and safety regulations are required to help cover the costs of "putting matters right." From next month that changes.

Gordon MacDonald, HSE's programme director, explains:

"The Government has agreed that it is right that those who break the law should pay their fair share of the costs to put things right - and not the public purse.

The Government intends to proceed with the FFI (Feee for Intervention) scheme as recommended to ministers by HSE's Board in December in response to the formal consultation that took place last Summer.

Discussions are still taking place on the technical details of the scheme, which we expect to conclude soon. Therefore, FFI will not be introduced in April but at the next available opportunity, which is likely to be October 2012."

The introduction of FFI will mean higher payouts for companies, but only if they break regulations. If your workforce and practices follow the guidelines, it should never impact your business.

source: HSE