HSC publishes statistics of inspection and enforcement in local authority enforced sectors for 2002/03

C036:04 : 29 July 2004

The Health & Safety Commission (HSC) today publishes the latest statistics on inspection and enforcement action in local authority (LA) enforced sectors in 2002/03 - HELA Health and Safety Activity Bulletin 2004. The document can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/index.htm#la

There are no substantial changes in trends in inspection and enforcement by local authority inspectors. The statistics show a continued marginal decline in the number and rate of inspection visits, and in enforcement activity. However there was an increase in inspector numbers. There was also evidence of increased priority being given to visiting wholesale premises and residential homes, where the risks of both fatal and non-fatal injury are high.

In 2002/03, local authorities (LAs) reported they enforced health and safety in around 1.2 million premises. There has been no substantial change in this number over the past five years. Within the total, the number of retail premises in 2002/03 has dropped by 9% to 403,000, from 445,000 in 1998/99.

Many local authority inspectors combine health and safety duties with other public protection work. The full-time equivalent (FTE) number of health and safety inspectors increased by 7% in 2002/03, to 1130. Over the previous five years the numbers of FTE inspectors had decreased year on year, from 1210 in 1998/99 to 1060 in 2001/02.

LA inspectors made 260,000 visits during 2002/03, compared with 266,000 in 2001/02. Of this 260,000, 153,000 were preventive inspections involving a full inspection of health and safety standards, and a further 19,000 were to investigate the circumstances surrounding workplace accidents.

In 2002/03, the rate of visiting per 1000 premises was 221, compared with 229 in 2001/02, and has steadily declined throughout the 1990's. Within the falling rate of visiting, LAs are maintaining or increasing the relative priority of visits in wholesale premises and residential care homes, where risks of injury are high. In residential care homes, fatal injuries to members of the public have increased from an average of 5 per year between 1997/98 and 2000/01, to 19 in 2001/02 and 18 in 2002/03. In wholesale, there is a high rate of fatal injury to employees, when compared to the average for the mainly LA enforced sectors (more than 2.5 times greater).

During 2002/03, LAs issued 5780 enforcement notices, compared with 5960 the previous year, a fall of 3%. The overall rate of issuing enforcement notices (per 1000 premises) has remained relatively stable since 1998/99 and is highest in the wholesale industry (15 notices per 1000), which is almost three times the average (5 per 1000).

LAs secured 285 convictions in 2002/03, from 296 informations laid/complaints taken, leading to an average fine of £4100 per conviction. This compares with an average fine per conviction of £3134 in 2001/02.

Inspection and enforcement data by county and country are provided in the table attached below.

Notes to editors

1. 410 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales are responsible for enforcing health and safety law in around 1.2 million premises, such as offices, retail/wholesale distribution outlets, hotel and catering establishments, residential care homes, consumer services and the leisure industry.

2. The statistics in the Bulletin are based on annual returns from local authorities. These returns are the main source of information on LA health and safety activity relating to staff resources, premises, visits, complaints and enforcement. Statistics are available for Great Britain, as well as the devolved administrations, and estimates are made for LAs that do not complete a return, except in the case of prosecution data.

3. Section 18(4) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires LAs to make adequate arrangements to perform their duties in accordance with guidance from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC). HSC's role is to propose new or updated laws and standards, and provides information and advice, whilst enforcement is divided between HSE and over 400 LAs, depending on the main activity carried out at individual work premises. The HSE/LA Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA) was set up in 1975 to ensure consistency in enforcement among LAs and between LAs and HSE. However, the "HSE and LAs Working Together" Strategic Programme initiated earlier this year in response to the HSC's Strategy is intended to make more effective use of HSE and LA resources collectively, by working to a common set of goals and standards. This is an enabling programme intended to set up the required infrastructure to develop and support partnership working over the next 18 months or so.

4. The latest injury and ill-health figures will be available for release in November 2004 in the HELA National Picture 2004. There will also be a HELA 'Annual Report' for 2003/04, to be released on 8 December 2004, coinciding with the HELA Annual Conference. This report will summarise local authorities' enforcement, promotional and other related activities reported during the past year.

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