The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fined firms more than £1 million under its “Fees for Intervention” scheme (FFI) between February and March 2013, according to a business law firm.
DWF made a Freedom of Information request that revealed the third batch of invoices issued by the HSE under its FFI scheme had, for the first time, passed the £1 million mark. This, it argued, signalled a further increase in the amount that businesses are being fined by the HSE.
Under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, which came into effect in October last year, those found not to be compliant with health and safety laws are liable for recovery of the HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.
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The third batch of invoices signified a £232,000 increase on the totals collected in the preceding period, said DWF.
The construction sector saw the largest increase in invoices, 68%, followed by manufacturing at 28%.