The HSE has fined UK firms more than £5.5 million for health and safety failings under its Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme.
Following a Freedom of Information request , it has been revealed that businesses were fined a total of £5,532,565 for health and safety failings since October 2012.
Under the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, companies that break health and safety laws are liable for fines to cover HSE-related costs, which include call-outs, inspections, investigations and taking enforcement action.
According to the findings, the breaches ranged from slips, trips and falls to not providing enough toilets or washing facilities. The sectors that received the most fines were manufacturing (38 per cent) and construction (36 per cent), while at the bottom of the list were water and waste management (3 per cent) and agriculture (2 per cent).
Companies need to take simple measures to boost their health and safety policy and avoid getting fined, including having a comprehensive plan in place for dealing with HSE inspections, and ensuring that staff members are aware of the parts they have to play.
