The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that its cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will start on 1 October 2012.

FFI recovers costs from those who break health and safety laws for the time and effort the HSE spends helping to put matters right, such as investigating and taking enforcement action.

Law-abiding businesses will be free from costs and will not pay a fee.

Gordon MacDonald, HSE's programme director, said, "Confirming the date for the start of Fee For Intervention and publishing the guidance will give dutyholders clarity and certainty about the start of the scheme and what they can expect. We have worked with industry representatives in shaping the final form of the scheme and the published guidance explains how the scheme will work and what businesses can do to comply with the law and avoid incurring a fee."

He added, "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. Firms who manage workplace risks properly will not pay."

For more information, see:

• HSE47 - Guidance on the application of Fee for Intervention (FFI).