Blog
133 a cheeky number from the HSE – a recap
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Going back to a previous blog (£133 – a cheeky little number from the HSE) we at SAMS Ltd are pleased to report that the figure quoted is not correct. The blog relates to the HSE charging for their services when investigating accidents; we are pleased to report that the figure stated is actually too high which, in this age of financial pressures, has to be regarded as good news. The actual figure that the HSE will be charging will be £124:00p per hour meaning a £9:00p per hour reduction of those businesses who are visited and found to be in a material breach of safety regulations.
This system of charging is known as Fee For Intervention (FFI) and is one of several changes that are coming in on 6th April this year.
When will FII be applied? Unlike at present, the HSE will be more intelligence led and as such they will mainly only call on those businesses where they have been made aware of a problem (e.g. RIDDOR report, information from other enforcement agencies etc). On attending, if the HSE Inspector identifies a material breach of safety regulations which requires the writing of a letter, issuing of an enforcement notice or prosecution, then the FII kicks in and the clock starts running.
Is there a ball park sum?
In short each case will be taken on its own merits but a ball park figure around the service of an enforcement notice could cost the Directors in the region of £1500:00p which is in addition to any costs incurred to put things right. As can be expected this sum will significantly increase in the event of a prosecution. We can only guess at the figures involved in the event of a death of a worker leading to a prosecution by the HSE.
As we are only too well aware the East Kent area is not the wealthiest area within the UK and as such there are not many businesses or organisations which could bear this additional financial burden and so it is the best interests to make sure that you have a reasonable and cost safety system in place, which at SAMS Ltd we specialise in.
During the original blog on this issue we asked if this was a first step towards a fixed penalty ticket approach the enforcement of health and safety, after all the CPS currently only prosecute the more serious cases and expect the police to issue fixed penalties to lesser offenders!
How long it will be before the powers ask that very question?
Finally it will only be a question of time before the adverts start to drop onto you e mails or doorsteps warning of the severe financial burden you are risking from a visit from the HSE. Our advice is to ignore the foreseers of financial ruin and damnation and get on with what you do and if you are unsure or have a concern then give us a call.
Common Sense – your call!
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Health and Safety – nothing but common sense…
How a padlock could save a life.
Friday, November 11th, 2011
This case study shows how a simple measure like issuing staff with a padlock could save a life.
Health and Safety – it’s all about balance
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Last month part of the reason that the Prime Minister gave for the riots seen across the UK was an apparent lack of responsibility across society, of which the health and safety culture was part. In explaining this view he stated that: “There is an obsession with health and safety that has eroded people’s willingness [...]
Joe Blogs is a Chippie- sung to “my old mans a dustman” if you please.
Friday, September 30th, 2011
Well Joe Blogs he’s a chippie, He works on building sites, He’s just about to drill a wall, When he saw a funny sight. He see’s this big red sticker , That looked a bit like this, He calls his boss on over who says, “lets give this wall a miss.” “‘cos [...]
