It's been revealed that the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) recently introduced Fees For Intervention (FFI) Scheme generated around £857,000 from 1 December 2012 to 31 January 2013, with 60% of inspections resulting in a charge for businesses.
The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations SI 2012/1652 came into force in October 2012, and under those Regulations, those who are found not to be compliant with health and safety legislation are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.
The costs generated are around £100,000 higher than those collected between October and November 2012, and included nearly 500 more invoices than those issued during the first period.
There was a significant increase in FFI time recorded against manufacturing businesses, followed by the construction sector, which received nearly 30% of the total number of invoices.
However, despite the waste management sector being a high priority for the HSE due to its high fatality rate, only 63 invoices were issued against businesses in the water and waste management sector.
Steffan Groch, head of regulatory at business law firm DWF, said, "The number of invoices is increasing at an alarming rate and it is now more likely than ever before that business owners will receive an HSE inspection that results in an invoice for the HSE's time.
There is still a worry though that queries are not being dealt with independently. The HSE handles its invoices directly, which some might say is like parking wardens dealing with queries on the tickets they have issued."
Groch added, "We encourage the HSE to review its appeal process to ensure they are dealt with in a fair and transparent manner."
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