Concerns Raised Over Increase in Inspections Following Introduction of FFI
Following the introduction of the government’s fee for intervention (FFI) scheme on 1st October 2012, concerns are being raised over whether the new scheme has resulted in an increase in inspections by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
The number of inspections undertaken by the HSE has increased by 6 per cent in the last year, from 22,240 in 2012/13 to 23,472 in 2013/141.
Under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, introduced on 1st October 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of the HSE’s related costs including; inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.
If, when visiting a business, HSE inspectors see material breaches of the law, the business will be charged a fee based on the amount of time HSE inspectors spend identifying the breach, helping put it right, investigating and taking enforcement action.
Concerns have been raised that the potential for revenue generation through the FFI scheme has resulted in an unprecedented rise in the number of inspections.
However, Kevin Hegarty, spokesperson for HSE, said in response:
“There is no evidence that FFI has had any impact on whether we regulate any more or any less.
“The increase in inspections is a natural consequence of how we do things, targeting industries that we feel we can have the most effect on, and predominantly targeting high-risk industries.”2
A review panel, with an independent chair, is due to report to the HSE board later this month on the operation of FFI and the impact charging has had on the relationship between HSE and business.
If you have any questions or concerns about managing health and safety in your organisation, please contact us. A health & safety management audit can provide a useful starting point to help you ensure a robust health & safety management system in order to reduce risks and protect lives, property assets and corporate reputation. For competent support services to provide you with direct access to risk management experts – on hand to help you when you need them, please contact our expert team.
1 – Source: Pinsent Masons
2 – Source: SHP Magazine