Appeals

Our policy is to be as open as possible and supply the information you have requested, but we may withhold information if we consider its release would cause significant harm.

If information within a document made available under the Publication Scheme is withheld the document will be clearly marked to show where information has been removed and the exemption we have used.

If we refuse to supply all or part of any other information you have asked for we will write to you giving our reasons for refusal. The reasons will be based on the exempted categories in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

If you are not satisfied with the reasons you have the right to appeal. You may also appeal if you believe the charges we have made to supply information are unfair. HSE has a procedure to consider appeals. Appeals should be made via the person from whom you received the refusal letter. That person will forward your appeal to HSE’s Freedom of Information Unit who will act as a Secretariat to handle the appeal. Where appropriate, the appeal will be allocated to a senior HSE Officer who has not been involved in the original decision to refuse to supply you with information or with the assessment of charges.

Requests for an internal review should be submitted within 2 months of the original request.

1. The Appeals Officer will review all aspects of the original request. They will aim to respond to you within a reasonable timescale. When a decision is reached, the Appeals Officer will contact you.
2. The Appeals Officer’s decision may be to:
   • uphold the original decision to withhold information (in which case, you will be advised of further appeals procedures)
   • overturn the original decision in part
   • fully overturn the original decision

If you wish to appeal following that decision you should write to:
The Information Commissioner at:

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: +44 (0)1625 545 700
Fax: +44 (0)1625 524510
Email: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk