29.06.2012
HSE confirms charging date
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that its cost recovery scheme – Fee for Intervention – will take effect this October subject to Parliamentary approval.
The scheme plans to recover costs from those who break health and safety laws for the time and effort the organisation spends investigating and taking enforcement action putting matters right. Businesses that comply fully with HSE or are not at fault, will be free from any costs.
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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.
“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.”
Since recommending the scheme to ministers in December 2011, HSE has completed a successful test run of the scheme in preparation for its start in October.
Emily Thatcher
I have mixed opinions about this, yes it is a very clear money making policy yet health and safety is there for the best of every ones interests and if it is ad heard to more closely because company owners to no want to incur costs then it may have a positive outcome. health and safety consultants may also benefit from this scheme as a higher emphasis will be placed on health and safety.
Emily Thatcher
I have mixed opinions about this, yes it is a very clear money making policy yet health and safety is there for the best of every ones interests and if it is ad heard to more closely because company owners to no want to incur costs then it may have a positive outcome. health and safety consultants may also benefit from this scheme as a higher emphasis will be placed on health and safety.
Mark Carrington
Sorry - Meant to say speeding fines!!
Mark Carrington
It's disappointing that the HSE are moving from a tough but helpful advisory position to one where income generation and targets will cause them to hang in there longer finding reasons to remain on a case to raise more invoices. The current mutually cooperative relationship that develops will change to one of suspicious concern by companies where HSE become involved for whatever reason because they want to keep their costs down. The government have lost the plot. Its all about money not safety - just like parking fines!