HSE will recover costs from as early as April 2012

HSE has introduced a new cost recovery system. The first information to be clarified is the difference between a technical breach of the law and a material one. The current plan indicates that only the material breaches will incur costs, but of course, essentially it will be down to the inspector’s opinion. 

The underlying policy of recovering costs for HSE’s intervention has been determined by Government and it was therefore not in question at the consultation. Costs would be recovered from the start of the intervention during which the material breach was identified up to and including the point where intervention in relation to that breach had been concluded.

Fortunately, HSE is to reduce the level of proactive health and safety inspections by approximately one third and will target inspections towards higher risk industries. This is not good news for the Plastic Recycling Sector which is likely to be categorised at being higher risk by the Manufacturing Sector Strategy.

HSE confirmed that is intending to charge its inspectors’ time at £133 an hour. The same fee will be charged regardless of the seniority of the inspector. If they identify a material breach at any point during an inspection, you will be charged for the entire time that they’re on your premises.

If a material breach results in a letter, the costs will be in the region of £750. If the inspection results in an enforcement notice, you can expect to incur costs of at least £1,500.
The scheme will not start until April 2012, so there is still six months to get your house in order. Being involved with SIMPL (Safety in Manufacturing Plastics) by signing the pledge can help you achieve your goals of reducing accidents and implementing an action plan. It will also show the HSE that the Plastic Industry is committed to improve health and safety across the whole industry.

For more information about SIMPL please click here