HSE cost recovery scheme comes into force today

Fee for Intervention (FFI) comes into force on Monday on the back of widespread criticism from those in UK print that are outraged with the proposed £124 hourly rate of inspections.

Companies that are found by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be in ‘material breach’ of health and safety regulations will be asked to pay the recovery cost.

Fee for Intervention (FFI) will be based on the amount of time taken for HSE inspectors to identify a breach of legislation and to conclude any necessary regulatory action.

According to HSE, "the many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing".

FPB chief executive Phil Orford previously said the current proposed system is likely to create a "postcode lottery" for businesses and calls the scheme inflexible and unclear.

"We need health and safety law enforcement that effectively polices workplace safety and security, but does not punish firms unduly for breaches that are not substantial and are genuinely made in error," he added.

In addition, BPIF head of health and safety Simon Lunken said that without full clarity, smaller print businesses without greater resources and infrastructure could find themselves falling foul of the FFI.

The HSE confirmed it will review how FFI is working after the first twelve months of operation, and then again three years after the regime comes into effect.