What to expect from a health and safety investigation

By Lancashire Business View

10 Sep 2018

laura-walmsley-farleys-1000x500.jpg
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was set up to prevent work-related death, injury or ill-health and provide support to businesses on managing risk.

By Laura Walmsley, regulatory solicitor & associate partner at Farleys

It is also its job to investigate a company when an incident occurs or a complaint is received.

A HSE inspector will investigate in order to establish the facts of the case, identify how the incident occurred (or if one did) and what lessons can be learned to prevent a recurrence.

The inspector will also look to uncover any breaches of health and safety regulations and take enforcement action if needed.

If your business is subject to a health and safety investigation it is important to remember that an inspector can enter your business premises without notice and it is advisable not to try and persuade them to come back another day as this can look as if you are trying to hide something.

The inspector may also wish to speak with a number of your employees and take photos and samples.

If a breach is discovered

You will be issued with enforcement action. This will take the form of either: An informal action – for minor breaches, you will be told what to do to achieve compliance and why you need to do it. Improvement notices – for more serious breaches, you will be issued with a notice requiring you to implement the changes, usually within 21 days. Prohibition notices – for breaches endangering the safety of individuals, you will be told to cease certain activities immediately. Prosecution – there is the potential for prosecution where the inspector deems there to be a complete disregard for health and safety. If an HSE prosecution is successful, the court will decide on a penalty to impose. Penalties for offences have risen sharply over recent years with significant fines imposed on companies, while senior managers and directors also face prosecution.

Latest news

1

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance

20 Dec 2024

2

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team The team

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team

20 Dec 2024

3

New partner among family team hires as Brabners strengthens personal offer Cara Nuttall Chris Fairhurst And Hannah Saxe

New partner among family team hires as Brabners strengthens personal offer

20 Dec 2024

4

Amazing Accrington bring in almost £400k in funding to Hyndburn Clayton Boxing Club press.jpg.jpg

Amazing Accrington bring in almost £400k in funding to Hyndburn

19 Dec 2024

5

BAE Systems solar powered aircraft achieves new stratospheric success The flight

BAE Systems solar powered aircraft achieves new stratospheric success

19 Dec 2024

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin