![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
HSE RAMPS UP RESPONSE TO SAFETY ‘TIP-OFFS’
Fee for intervention may have triggered change in HSE approach
Law firm Pinset Mason has reported the results a freedom of information (FOI) request which suggests a 43% increase in tip-off led inspections by HSE.
The FOI request revealed that HSE undertook 3,475 inspections based on tip-offs in the last year (year end March 31 2013) revealing a 43% increase on the 2,429 inspections undertaken in the previous 12 months.
HSE receives intelligence on possible material breaches from a number of sources including:
- whistleblowing reports from employees or union representatives;
- complaints by local residents;
- customers and suppliers; and
- insurance reports on workplace incidents.
Fee for intervention charges are now imposed where HSE inspections find a ‘material breach’ of regulations.
HSE now considerably more likely to act on tip-offs
Simon Joyston-Bechal, specialist Health & Safety lawyer and Partner at Pinsent Masons said:
“Businesses with unaddressed Health & Safety issues should not be surprised if an HSE inspector knocks on their door, after being tipped off by an employee or customer.
It’s also important to remember that the HSE can demand hefty fees for their time if they find breaches of Health & Safety regulations. Health & Safety can sometimes be seen as an easy area for cost-cutting when bottom lines are under pressure. HSE knows this, and is clearly becoming more proactive in rooting out any regulatory breaches as soon as it has evidence.
If HSE decides that cost-cutting was a primary reason for a breach of Health & Safety regulations, it is more likely to pursue prosecution of senior management and sentences are likely to be higher if a conviction is secured.
HSE’s new approach has made cost-cutting in Health & Safety even riskier than in the past. All directors and senior managers need to understand their obligations for Health & Safety and the proactive steps that the criminal law requires them to take to stay out of jail.”
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS
Read the rest of this article »
POSITIVE STORY ON FRAGILE SURFACE HAZARDS
Major roofing contractor testifies to working from below roof
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2018LEISURE CENTRE USER FELL ILL AFTER SHOWER USE
Legionella risk assessment and control measures found wanting
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2018STONE CUTTING MACHINE GUARDS FAILED HSE TEST
Precautions taken following HSE enforcement fell into disuse
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2018ROOFWORK CREATED CARBON MONOXIDE RISK
Falling rubble damaged and blocked home chimney flue
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2018HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 19th DEC 2018
Prosecutions and enforcement notices register latest version
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2018HSE SAFETY ALERT: TOWER CRANE BRAKES
Collapse of tower crane jib in high winds prompts HSE warning
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th December 2018VISITING ENGINEER CRUSHED BY SCAFFOLD TUBES
Principal contractor “signed off” contractor storage arrangements
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th December 2018CONCRETE EJECTED BY PUMPING UNIT CLAIMED LIFE
Company and director failed to train and supervise pumping operations
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th December 2018REFRESHED GUIDANCE ON FITNESS TO OPERATE PLANT
Construction plant medical fitness Good Practice Guide
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th December 2018MAJOR CONTRACTOR & LUL USED UNSAFE SYSTEM
Work method to eliminate moving vehicle hazard not adopted
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th December 2018OVERTURNING LORRY CAUSED DEATH OF DRIVER
Groundworks project stockpiling arrangements not properly managed
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd December 2018FORTH BRIDGE LIFTING OPERATION NOT PLANNED
Major project PC failed to plan, supervise and carry out lift safely
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd December 2018DEVELOPER FAILED ON ASBESTOS ASSESSMENT
HSE inspection revealed refurb works without asbestos survey
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018POST DRIVER HAMMER CRUSHED HAND OF WORKMAN
Unsafe system of work for vehicle crash barrier installation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018WORKER FELL FROM LOFT THROUGH CEILING
Major house builder lacked understanding of loft fragile surfaces risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018NEW SITE DUMPER SAFETY GUIDANCE ISSUED
Construction plant sector concerns prompts CPA consults on draft
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018CCTV INSTALLER FELL THROUGH FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT
Contractor failed to properly plan and control the risks
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018VISITOR DIED FALLING INTO CONCEALED BASEMENT
Contractor failed to protect basement void on domestic project
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2018RACKING FALL REVEALED UNSAFE SYSTEM OF WORK
European firm fined £300,000 after UK sub-contractor employee fell
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018FAILURE TO ACT ON VIBRATION AND SILICA HAZARDS
Worker health put at risk during stripping of furnace lining
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018MAJOR FM FIRM FAILED TO MAINTAIN BACK-UP POWER
Power loss at laboratory site created potential risk from biological agents
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th November 2018IGNORING HSE PROHIBITIONS COST FIRM £250,000
CDM 2015 and work at height requirements repeatedly breached
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 16th November 2018ROOF COLLAPSED UNDER EXCESS LOADING
Director and company fined over roof design failures
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th November 2018FORK LIFT OVERTURNED IN SCAFFOLDING YARD
Untrained operator suffered life changing crush injuries
Posted on 10th November 2018
