The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme has come under criticism as new figures have revealed the average cost of an invoice issued is running in excess of £700. This is a huge 40% increase since the scheme first started three years ago in 2012.
In the August 2015 invoice run covering both notices of contravention issued in April and May the HSE sent 2922 invoices for a total of £2.01 million, an average of £715 each.
This has been steadily increasing with the average invoice in January 2013, £513 and in March 2014, £618.
Some of the highest figures are found in the extractive industry, with invoices issued in the latest run averaging £972. Other industries with high figures include manufacturing and construction.
If the current levels are maintained it is expected the HSE could generate around £12.5 million a year from the introduction of the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations SI 2012/1652.
Steffan Groch, head of regulatory at the law firm DWF and chair of the UK Health and Safety Lawyers Association said the 40% increase to invoices: "could be down to more effective time recording by inspectors and also with more time being spent per notice of contravention."
EEF, the manufacturers' organisation are currently conducting a survey on the FFI. When the scheme was introduced the Government made a commitment to publish a post implementation review after three years.
This three year period will come to an end during September 2015 and EEF will make an evidence based submission to the review.
To take part in the survey, you can follow the link to www.surveymonkey.com
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