Lawbreaking firms to face £124-an-hour charges

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed its delayed cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), will now start on 1 October 2012. The new approach, which is subject to parliamentary approval but has already got the green light from ministers, could see HSE recover costs of £124-an-hour from firms who break health and safety laws. HSE says the money is to cover the time and effort HSE spends 'helping to put matters right', including investigations and enforcement action. It adds law-abiding businesses will be free from costs and will not pay a fee. Gordon MacDonald, HSE's programme director, said: 'It is right that those who break the law should pay their fair share of the costs to put things right - and not the public purse. Firms who manage workplace risks properly will not pay.'

HSE news release and guidance on the fee for intervention scheme. Construction Enquirer.