Business forum objects to plans for health and safety audits
The Forum of Private Business has issued objections to a new plan regarding health and safety audits. Under the plan, small businesses would have to pay significant sums of money for inspection of their premises. The proposal is known as “Fee for Intervention” and is scheduled to become effective this coming October. Fee provisions would apply to businesses that have been determined to be in “material breach” of health and safety regulations, as determined by the HSE.
Phil Orford, speaking as chief executive for the forum, objected to provisions that would require businesses to pay the hourly rate of inspectors whenever a serious breach was found during that inspection. “Businesses which deliberately flout health and safety rules should be brought to task,” he admitted, “but this is not how the vast majority operate – clearly it is not in their best interests to allow lax health and safety procedures to exist. Our members want help, guidance and support, which is what our Health and Safety Guide provides, not ever more threats of financial penalties.”
The Fee for Intervention proposal is being widely regarded as motivated by the HSE’s desire to recover costs. Businesses have criticized the approach for providing the HSE with incentives to find breaches where none exist. While few would accuse them of deliberate unfairness, there is a perception that inspectors may become increasingly willing to redefine exactly what constitutes a “material breach” since finding one would provide funding to the HSE.
