Health and safety law enforcement

Information on how HSE enforces health and safety laws, including some information on inspections, prosecutions and accident investigations.

HSE publishes a wide range of information relating to its enforcement activities see Enforcement.

• Class 1: Enforcement and inspection
• Class 2: Prosecutions
• Class 3: Accident investigations and reports
• Class 4: Liaison between HSE and Local Authorities

HSE Publication Scheme

Class 1: Enforcement and inspection

Information on HSE’s enforcement of legislation on health and safety at work.

See also HSE's internal operational instructions and guidance for current internal instructions and guidance that HSE uses to carry out its core operational work of inspecting, investigating, permissioning and enforcing.

Document	Definition	Availability	Format	Cost
HSC Enforcement policy statement	Sets out the general principles and approach that the Health and Safety Commission expects the health and safety enforcing authorities to follow.	Online	Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free
Health and Safety offences and penalties	Published annually, these reports provide a commentary on trends in health and safety penalties and include links to lists of convictions.	Online	Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free
HSE Public Register of Enforcement Notices	Database which gives details of all enforcement notices issued since 1 April 2001. It does not include Notices which are under appeal or have been withdrawn	Online	Webpages	Free
Research reports	HSE has published a number of research reports relating to enforcement. These can be found in the Research Report Series on the HSE website.	Online	Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free

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Class 2: Prosecutions

Information on HSE prosecutions. Information cannot be disclosed on individual investigations and prosecutions being undertaken, whether or not they are the subject of an appeal. Limited information on cases post conviction is available on the Prosecutions database. Some of the material in this class may be derived from documents that we consider contain exempt information. Where this occurs the material will clearly show where information has been withheld and explain what exemption has been applied and why.

Document	Definition	Availability	Format	Cost
HSE Public Register of Convictions	Also known as the ‘Prosecutions Database’ this gives details of all prosecution cases taken by HSE since 1 April 1999, which resulted in a conviction	Online	Webpages	Free

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Class 3: Accident investigations and reports

Information on investigations into accidents; published reports of accident investigations. HSE investigates many accidents, dangerous occurrences and other incidents each year. Where the accounts of such incidents are of general or technical importance, a report will be published setting out the detail of HSE’s enquiries and what lessons can be learned.

HSC/E may, therefore, publish reports on incidents in the following instances:

• a) when HSC has directed HSE to investigate and make a special report under Section 14(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974;
• b) Where it is clearly in the public interest that a report should be published, for example;
  • i. Where an incident gives rise to general public or local alarm leading to a need for explanation and public satisfaction that the matter has been thoroughly investigated and all avenues for further action identified; or
  • ii. Where lessons for improving health and safety can be learned.

Reports on incidents at nuclear installations and in connection with pesticides and certain hazardous transport or railway incidents are also published on a regular basis.Some of the material in this class may be derived from documents that we consider contain exempt information. Where this occurs the material will clearly show where information has been withheld and explain what exemption has been applied and why e.g. HSC/E will withhold in whole or in part information on current investigations and reports made under section 14(2)(a) & (b) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Document	Definition	Availability	Format	Cost
Accident reports	Published by HSE Books under the category ‘Accidents and Emergencies’	HSE Books	Hard copy	£
Railway accidents	Reports of railway accidents are published on the Rail Safety pages of the HSE website.Earlier accident reports not available on the website are available from HSE Books	Online HSE Books	Adobe Acrobat .pdf / Hard copy	Free / £
Research reports	HSE has published a number of research reports relating to accidents and incidents. These can be found on the Research part of the HSE website	Online	Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free

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Class 4: Liaison between HSE and Local Authorities

Information on how HSE and local authorities work together to enforce health and safety in workplaces.

Note: HSE does not inspect all workplaces. HSE covers, factories, building sites, mines, farms, fairgrounds, quarries, railways, chemical plant, offshore and nuclear installations, schools, hospitals and other workplaces. Local authorities cover shops, some warehouses, most offices, hotels and catering, sports, leisure, consumer services and places of worship. Local authorities can be contacted through their environmental health departments. Their address and phone number will be in the local phone book.

Document	Definition	Availability	Format	Cost
Health and Safety Executive / Local Authority Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA) Audit Protocol	HSE / LEA Audit Protocol	Online	[372kb] Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free
Lead Authority Partnership Scheme (LAPS)	LAPS	Online	Webpages	Free
Local Authority Circulars (LACs) and Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Circulars (PETELs)	There are a large number of these on a wide variety of topics. See the Local Authority Circular Index	Online	Webpages	Free
Health and Safety Newsletter for Local Authorities	Link to Health and Safety Newsletter for Local Authorities	Online	Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free
Memorandum of Understanding between HSE and the Local Authority Associations (LAA), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.	Link to memorandum	Online	[15kb] Adobe Acrobat .pdf	Free