Health, Safety & Quality Consultancy
Following a Freedom of Information request by a health and safety organisation, ELAS, it has been revealed that businesses were fined a total of £5, 532, 565 under the Fees for Intervention (FFI) scheme since its induction on 1st October 2012.
Under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, any business found to be in ‘ material breach’ of safety legislation are liable for charges to cover HSE costs. A ‘material breach’ applies to all situations where an inspector finds a failing of health and safety law.
Safety breaches range from slips, trips and falls to not providing adequate welfare facilities.
The sectors most affected were manufacturing: 38% and construction: 36%. At the other end of the scale were water and waste management: 3% and agriculture: 2%.
The figures have surprised many in the health and safety profession. It proves that despite the recent rhetoric concerning reducing the burden of health and safety, companies that do no operate a sufficient safety management system will bear the brunt of this legislation.